LOS ANGELES -- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Five people have been charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death from a ketamine overdose last year, including the actor’s assistant and two doctors.

“These defendants exploited Mr. Perry’s struggles with addiction for personal gain. They were fully aware that their actions were illegal,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated on Thursday while announcing the charges.

The five individuals have been indicted for their respective roles in supplying Perry with substantial amounts of ketamine, resulting in his overdose fatality in October 2023 .

Details about those charged following a comprehensive investigation into Perry's passing have emerged.

Plasencia, a medical professional practicing in the Santa Monica area, was apprehended on Thursday and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distributing ketamine, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.

He entered a plea of not guilty during his initial court appearance on Thursday, where he was dressed in civilian attire and restrained with handcuffs and leg irons. A judge ruled that he could be released after posting a $100,000 bond.

An indictment filed Wednesday alleges that Plasencia, widely known as “Dr. P,” utilized encrypted messaging platforms and coded language to discuss drug transactions, referring to ketamine bottles as “Dr. Pepper,” “cans,” and “bots.” He stands accused of facilitating the transfer of drugs from himself and others who have been charged to Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

As per the indictment, Plasencia exchanged text messages with others involved in the drug transactions, sending ones that read: “I wonder how much this fool will pay” and “Lets find out.”

Following Plasencia’s court appearance, his legal representative, Stefan Sacks, stated: “Ultimately, Dr. Plasencia acted with what he believed were the most beneficial medical intentions,” and his actions “certainly did not constitute criminal misconduct.

“His only objective was to provide the best medical care and to avoid causing harm,” Sacks stated. “Regrettably, harm did occur. But it took place after his involvement.”

Plasencia, 42, earned his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2010 and has not faced any disciplinary actions, according to records. His medical license is set to expire in October.

Possible sentence: Imprisonment for up to 10 years for each ketamine-related charge and up to 20 years for each record falsification charge.

Prosecutors claim that Sangha is a drug dealer whose North Hollywood residence served as a distribution point for the ketamine that resulted in Perry's death. She is referred to as the “Ketamine Queen,” according to court documents.

Sangha, 41, was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a location for drug-related activities, one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing ketamine with the intent to distribute, and five counts of distributing ketamine.

The indictment asserts that Sangha’s provision of ketamine on October 24, 2023, led to Perry’s death a few days later.

She entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday, but a judge determined that she should remain in custody. Her lawyer criticized the “media-friendly nickname” — Ketamine Queen — that the prosecution used for his client. Her lawyer declined to make any statements outside the courtroom.

Possible sentence: 10 years to life in prison.

Iwamasa worked as Perry’s resident personal assistant and frequently used coded communication with others implicated in Perry’s death to acquire ketamine, authorities reported. He has acknowledged administering multiple ketamine injections to Perry, including on the day he passed away.

He has entered a guilty plea to a single charge of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death.

Iwamasa, 59 years old, lacked any medical qualifications or expertise in administering controlled substances, according to prosecutors. He discovered Perry deceased at his residence.

Attorneys for Iwamasa did not return requests for comment.

Possible sentence: 15 years in prison.

Chavez, a physician from San Diego, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Chavez sold ketamine that he had previously obtained by writing a fraudulent prescription to Plasencia, who then sold it to Iwamasa.

Chavez, who previously operated a ketamine clinic, also acquired additional ketamine from a wholesale distributor of controlled substances and falsified information on forms, stating that the drug would not be sold to a third party, distributed, or used for any other purpose.

Chavez, 54, completed medical school at UCLA in 2004 and launched a business, The Health MD, which seems to be a concierge medical practice emphasizing longevity and fitness. Similar to Plasencia, Chavez has not faced any disciplinary actions, based on his records. His medical license is valid until 2026.

Numerous messages seeking a response from Chavez's business and his personal email address have not been answered.

Possible sentence: 10 years in prison.

Fleming, 54, was a close associate of Perry and worked with Iwamasa to provide him with drugs for Perry's use. He admitted guilt to one charge of participating in a scheme to distribute ketamine and one charge of distributing ketamine leading to death.

Prosecutors allege that Fleming obtained ketamine from Sangha and distributed it to Iwamasa. In total, he delivered 50 vials of ketamine for Perry’s use, including 25 handed over just four days before the actor’s demise.

Attorneys for Fleming did not return requests for comment.

Possible sentence: 25 years in prison.