The legal proceedings surrounding the death of beloved “Friends” actor Matthew Perry have reached a critical juncture. Jasveen Sangha, the Los Angeles woman known to her clients as the “Ketamine Queen,” is appearing in a Los Angeles federal court this Wednesday, April 8, 2026, for sentencing in connection with the actor’s fatal overdose according to reports from ABC News.
Sangha, 42, faces a maximum possible sentence of 65 years in prison. She previously pleaded guilty to five federal charges, including 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 in court filings. The proceedings mark the conclusion of a complex federal investigation into the “broad underground criminal network” that supplied the 54-year-old actor with the powerful anesthetic per The Independent.
The Ketamine Queen sentencing is the final chapter in a case involving five separate defendants. Unlike her co-defendants, Sangha explicitly acknowledged in her plea agreement that her actions directly caused Perry’s death, a detail that makes her eligible for the most severe penalties among the group according to The Independent.
Prosecution Demands 15 Years for ‘Cold Callousness’
Federal prosecutors for the Central District of California have requested that the court impose a prison sentence of 180 months, or 15 years, followed by three years of supervised release as reported by NBC News. In a 24-page document filed on March 25, U.S. Attorneys characterized Sangha as a drug dealer who “chose profits over people,” stating that her actions demonstrated a “cold callousness and disregard for life” per NBC News.
The prosecution’s argument for a lengthy sentence is based not only on the death of Matthew Perry but also on Sangha’s alleged lack of remorse. Court filings highlight recorded jail communications in which Sangha reportedly discussed “obtaining ‘trademarks’ and securing book rights on the events of the case” according to ABC News. Prosecutors claim that Sangha continued to sell dangerous drugs even after learning that her ketamine had contributed to the deaths of Perry and another individual as detailed by ABC News.
A High-Volume Trafficking Operation in North Hollywood
Evidence presented by the government paints a picture of a sophisticated drug trafficking business operated by Sangha out of her North Hollywood residence. Since at least 2019, Sangha used her home to store, package, and distribute a variety of narcotics, including methamphetamine and ketamine according to a sentencing memorandum cited by ABC News. Prosecutors described her as a major supplier who catered specifically to high-end clientele per The Independent.
The investigation revealed that Perry’s death was not an isolated incident involving Sangha’s products. Prosecutors stated that in 2019, Sangha sold four vials of ketamine to Los Angeles resident Cody McLaury, who died hours after the purchase according to ABC News. In the case of Matthew Perry, Sangha admitted to providing dozens of vials of ketamine, with one source specifying that 25 vials were provided, which included the dose that led to the fatal overdose as reported by The Independent.
Defense Arguments and Request for Leniency
In a 16-page response to the prosecution’s request, Sangha’s defense attorneys, Mark J. Geragos and Alexandra Kazarian, have asked the court to impose a sentence of time served according to NBC News. The defense argues that Sangha has “accepted responsibility for serious criminal conduct” and does not minimize the gravity of the consequences resulting from her actions per NBC News.
The defense has requested leniency based on Sangha’s conduct although in federal custody, where she has been held since her arrest in August 2024 as reported by NBC News. While the defense maintains that she has taken ownership of her crimes, this stands in stark contrast to the prosecution’s claims of a lack of remorse and a desire to profit from the notoriety of the case according to The Independent.
The Death of Matthew Perry
The legal battle follows the tragic death of Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023. The 54-year-old actor was found unresponsive and face down in the heated end of his pool at his home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles according to NBC News. He was pronounced dead at the scene per NBC News.
The subsequent investigation uncovered the network of dealers that supplied Perry, leading to the federal charges against Sangha and four others. As part of the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, members of Perry’s family are expected to deliver victim impact statements to the court as reported by The Independent.
Case Summary Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Sangha begins running drug trafficking business in North Hollywood; sells ketamine to Cody McLaury, who dies shortly after. |
| October 28, 2023 | Matthew Perry is found dead in his Pacific Palisades home pool. |
| August 2024 | Jasveen Sangha is arrested and taken into federal custody. |
| Fall 2025 | Sangha pleads guilty to five federal charges related to Perry’s death. |
| March 25, 2026 | Federal prosecutors file a request for a 15-year prison sentence. |
| April 8, 2026 | Scheduled sentencing date in Los Angeles federal court. |
The court’s decision today will determine whether Sangha receives the 15-year sentence requested by the government, the “time served” requested by her defense, or a sentence closer to the 65-year maximum allowed by law. The outcome will serve as a final legal resolution for the network responsible for the actor’s death.
The next official update will be the announcement of the judge’s ruling following the conclusion of the sentencing hearing today, Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
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