Jasveen Sangha, a 42-year-old American-British dual national, admitted her guilt to five criminal charges in Los Angeles on Wednesday, encompassing a single count related to distributing ketamine, which led to fatal consequences or bodily harm. Initially, she was confronted with nine criminal accusations. Federal prosecutors described her Los Angeles residence as a "hub for drug trafficking" and discovered numerous vials of ketamine during a raid.
Perry was discovered deceased in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles abode in October 2023. An autopsy revealed that his demise was caused by the severe impact of ketamine. A sentencing hearing for Sangha, who is currently detained by federal authorities, has been arranged for December 10th in Los Angeles.
Initially, Sangha refuted the allegations but eventually agreed to alter her plea in August, mere weeks prior to her scheduled trial. She is one of five individuals, which includes medical doctors and the actor's assistant, accused by US officials of providing ketamine to Perry, exploiting his addiction for monetary gain, ultimately resulting in his overdose death.
These individuals comprise: Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez, both physicians who sold ketamine; Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in assistant who facilitated the purchase and injection of ketamine into the actor; and Eric Fleming, who procured ketamine from Sangha and sold it to Perry. The remaining four defendants have also concurred to plead guilty to the charges brought against them in this case. Their sentencing will occur at different times in November and December.
According to the justice department, Sangha could face a maximum sentence of 65 years in federal prison. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, can distort visual and auditory perceptions, leaving users feeling disconnected and out of control, as per the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is utilized as an injectable anesthetic for both humans and animals due to its capacity to detach patients from their pain and surroundings.
Officials emphasize that this substance should only be administered by a physician, with patients undergoing professional monitoring due to its potential detrimental effects. Perry's passing and the subsequent investigation into how he obtained substantial quantities of the drug over several years provided a window into Hollywood's ketamine drug network, which one doctor described as the "wild west" in a BBC interview.
As part of her plea agreement, Sangha also acknowledged her guilt in selling ketamine to Cody McLaury in August 2019, who tragically passed away hours after purchasing and overdosing on the drug, according to the justice department. Federal authorities accused Sangha of distributing ketamine from her "stash house" in North Hollywood since at least 2019, alleging in an indictment that she catered to celebrities and high-end clientele.
Prior to her arrest in March 2024, a search of her residence yielded over 80 vials of ketamine, along with thousands of pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax. Sangha is reported to have mingled socially with celebrities, with one of her friends informing the Daily Mail that she had attended the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Her social media accounts portrayed an extravagant lifestyle, complete with parties and travels to Japan and Mexico.
