Jasveen Sangha, the North Hollywood drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry. The ruling, delivered on April 8, 2026, marks a significant conclusion to the criminal proceedings surrounding the actor’s 2023 overdose.
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Garnett handed down the sentence at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, matching the 180-month term requested by federal prosecutors. In addition to the prison term, Sangha was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following her incarceration.
The sentence is the harshest penalty received by any of the five defendants involved in the case. Sangha, who has been in federal custody since her arrest in August 2024, pleaded guilty to five felony charges, including three counts of distribution of ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury as part of her plea agreement.
The Operation of the ‘Ketamine Queen’
Prosecutors painted a picture of a calculated drug trafficking operation run out of Sangha’s Los Angeles home. To build her business, Sangha marketed herself as an exclusive dealer who specifically catered to high-profile Hollywood clientele according to court documents.
The investigation revealed that Sangha learned of Matthew Perry’s interest in ketamine in 2023 through an acquaintance of the actor’s personal assistant. After providing an initial sample, Sangha eventually supplied Perry with 50 vials of the drug, one of which prosecutors say led to the actor’s death during his overdose in October 2023.
The scope of Sangha’s illicit activities extended beyond the ketamine supplied to Perry. During a law enforcement raid of her residence, authorities discovered more than 1.5 kilograms of pressed methamphetamine pills and other narcotics. Prosecutors highlighted a tragic pattern, noting that Sangha had sold drugs to another man, Cody McLaury, in 2019, which also resulted in his death.
Evidence of Cover-Up and ‘Cold Callousness’
A central point of the prosecution’s argument was Sangha’s behavior following Perry’s death. Court filings indicate that after learning of the overdose, Sangha attempted to destroy evidence of her involvement by instructing a co-conspirator to “delete all our messages” to hide the paper trail.
In a sentencing memorandum, U.S. Attorneys for the Central District of California described Sangha as a dealer who “didn’t care” about the loss of life and continued to sell drugs even after discovering that her supply had killed Perry. They characterized her actions as showing a “cold callousness and disregard for life,” arguing that she prioritized profits over people in a 24-page filing.
In contrast, Sangha’s defense team urged the court to impose a sentence of time served, asserting that she had accepted responsibility for her criminal conduct. During the hearing, Sangha addressed the court, lamenting her “poor choices” and “horrible decisions that ultimately proved tragic,” adding that she prays for forgiveness every day during her remarks.
Family Reaction and Legal Impact
The sentencing provided a moment of closure for Perry’s family. Keith Morrison, Perry’s stepfather, spoke in the courtroom, praising Judge Garnett for delivering a “highly reasoned sentence.” While expressing his grief over the loss of the actor, Morrison noted that “nobody won today,” acknowledging the tragedy of the situation for all involved as reported by TODAY.
Matthew Perry, beloved globally for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. His death followed a well-documented, decades-long struggle with substance abuse, which sparked the criminal investigation that eventually led to the arrest of Sangha and four other co-defendants and subsequent guilty pleas.
Case Summary: Jasveen Sangha Sentencing
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Sentence | 15 years in prison + 3 years supervised release |
| Key Charges | Distribution of ketamine resulting in death; maintaining drug-involved premises |
| Sentencing Date | April 8, 2026 |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California |
| Presiding Judge | Sherilyn Garnett |
| Quantity Supplied | 50 vials of ketamine to Matthew Perry |
With the sentencing of Jasveen Sangha, the legal system has addressed the primary source of the drugs that contributed to Perry’s death. Sangha remains in federal custody to initiate serving her term.
World Today Journal will continue to monitor any further legal developments or filings related to the remaining co-defendants in this case. We invite our readers to share their thoughts in the comments below.
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