The doctor charged in Matthew Perry’s case pleads guilty to drug offense. Mark Chavez was charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Mark Chavez appeared in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday for a change of plea hearing. Chavez confirmed to the judge that he distributed ketamine for money and understood the purpose of the conspiracy before pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious bodily injury. His sentencing has been scheduled for April 2, 2025. He remains out on bond. Chavez’s attorney, Matthew Binninger, said the doctor has “accepted responsibility.” “He [pleaded] guilty. He admitted a lot of facts on the record. He’s cooperating with the government,” Binninger told reporters following Wednesday’s hearing. “He’s taken this incredibly seriously.” Chavez had initially pleaded not guilty to the count at his arraignment in August, though his lawyer noted at the time that he would later change his plea. “He is trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here,” Binninger told reporters following the arraignment. “He is doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he’s incredibly remorseful.”
