A federal judge in California has delivered a significant ruling in the criminal investigation surrounding the death of beloved Friends star Matthew Perry. Jasveen Sangha, a North Hollywood drug dealer known by prosecutors as the “Ketamine Queen,” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in supplying the drugs that led to the actor’s overdose in October 2023.
The sentencing took place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Garnett handed down the 15-year term, a verdict that aligns with the specific recommendations argued for by federal prosecutors according to USA TODAY.
This ruling marks a major milestone in a complex case that exposed an underground criminal network of licensed doctors and associates who catered to high-profile clientele in Los Angeles. Sangha’s sentence is notably harsher than the penalties received by any of her four co-defendants, reflecting her central role in the drug trafficking operation.
Matthew Perry, who achieved global fame as the wisecracking Chandler Bing, was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. The actor had a well-documented, decades-long battle with substance abuse, but the circumstances of his death sparked a federal investigation that eventually led to the arrest and conviction of several individuals, including Sangha.
The ‘Ketamine Queen’ and Her Hollywood Network
Prosecutors painted a portrait of Jasveen Sangha as an unrepentant drug trafficker who deliberately marketed herself as an exclusive dealer for the Hollywood elite. Operating out of a “stash house” in North Hollywood, Sangha cultivated a business catering to high-profile clients, prioritizing profit over the safety of those she supplied as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Court documents reveal that Sangha learned of Perry’s interest in ketamine in 2023 through an acquaintance of the actor’s personal assistant. After providing a sample, she eventually supplied Perry with 50 vials of the anesthetic. According to evidence presented in court, Sangha sold Perry 25 vials of the drug for $6,000 just four days before his death via KTVU.
The investigation similarly uncovered a pattern of lethal distribution. Prosecutors emphasized that Sangha’s conduct was not an isolated incident, noting that she had previously sold drugs to a man named Cody McLaury in 2019, which also resulted in his death. When law enforcement raided her residence, they discovered more than 1.5 kilograms of pressed methamphetamine pills per court filings.
Legal Proceedings and Guilty Pleas
The road to the 15-year sentence began seven months prior, when Sangha pleaded guilty to five felony charges. These charges included one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury as detailed by USA TODAY.
Notably, Sangha was the only one of the five defendants whose plea deal included an explicit acknowledgment of causing the overdose. However, her actions following the tragedy further damaged her standing in court. Prosecutors alleged that after learning of Perry’s overdose, Sangha attempted to destroy evidence of her involvement, instructing a co-conspirator to “delete all our messages” according to court filings.
In her own defense, Sangha pushed back against the portrayal of herself as a large-scale drug dealer. She argued that she did not cause the chain of events that led to Perry’s death and claimed she simply obtained ketamine from an “upstream source” and resold it to clients.
Case Summary and Timeline
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| October 2023 | Matthew Perry is found dead in his Los Angeles home. |
| 2023 (Pre-death) | Jasveen Sangha supplies Perry with ketamine vials after learning of his interest. |
| September 2025 | Jasveen Sangha pleads guilty to five felony charges. |
| April 8, 2026 | U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Garnett sentences Sangha to 15 years in prison. |
Impact and Broader Implications
The sentencing of Jasveen Sangha is the third of five defendants to be issued prison time in this high-profile case. The investigation highlighted a disturbing intersection of medical professionalism and criminal activity, involving licensed doctors and personal staff who facilitated the delivery of deadly doses of ketamine. It was reported that the drugs were sold at a steep markup, with some vials costing $2,000 despite the anesthetic having a base cost of roughly $12 per KTVU.
For the global audience and fans of the actor, this verdict provides a measure of legal closure. It underscores the severe consequences for those who profit from the addiction and vulnerability of others, regardless of the status of the clientele. Prosecutors argued that Sangha “knew – and disregarded – the grave harm her conduct was causing” although focusing on expanding her profit margins via USA TODAY.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with the illegal distribution of prescription anesthetics and the systemic failures that allowed a “stash house” to operate openly within North Hollywood, catering to the city’s most famous residents.
With Sangha’s sentencing now complete, the legal proceedings for the remaining defendants continue to be monitored. We will provide updates as further filings or hearings are scheduled in the Central District of California.
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