The Los Angeles woman who pleaded guilty to illegally selling Matthew Perry the drug that killed him was sentenced to 15 years in prison and three years’ supervised release on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett gave the sentence to 42-year-old Jasveen Sangha — dubbed the “Ketamine Queen” by prosecutors for running an elaborate, high-end drug operation.
Sangha became the third of five defendants sentenced who have pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 overdose of the 54-year-old actor.
Sangha is the only one whose plea deal included an acknowledgment of causing Perry’s death.
In a March 25 filing, prosecutors asked a federal judge in Los Angeles to sentence Sangha, a dual U.S.-U.K. citizen, to 15 years in prison, followed by three years’ supervised release.
When Sangha learned she had sold the drugs that caused Perry’s death, “she didn’t care and kept selling,” prosecutors wrote in the filing.
Prosecutors also noted that Sangha’s “actions show that she suspected the drugs she had sold Mr. Perry may have caused his death, so she sought to destroy digital evidence that she and a co-conspirator possessed that would link them to the deadly drug deal.”
Her “actions show a cold callousness and disregard for life. She chose profits over people, and her actions have caused immense pain to the victims’ families and loved ones,” prosecutors said.
“That defendant had the opportunity to stop after realizing the impact of her dealing — but simply chose not to,” the filing added.
Sangha’s lawyers said in their sentencing filing that the time she has spent in jail since her August 2024 indictment should be sufficient, and claimed that the prosecutor’s math on federal sentencing guidelines is “factually wrong.” They point to her lack of a previous criminal record and exemplary behaviour as an inmate, as well as the unlikelihood she would return to a life of drug dealing.
Her lawyers said she has been maintaining sobriety in jail and organizing and leading Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Perry’s stepmother described how his family has suffered “irreversible” pain from his death in a victim impact statement.
The statement, filed by prosecutors on April 7 and obtained by Global News, was submitted the day before Sangha’s sentencing.
“The pain you’ve caused to hundreds maybe thousands is irreversible. There is no joy to be found, no light in the window,” Debbie Perry, who is married to Perry’s father, John Bennett Perry, wrote. “They won’t be back. That thought comes through our day everyday.”
Debbie said there is “no escape,” adding, “You caused this, you who has talent for business, enough to make money, chose the one way that hurts people.”
“How sad for you. How will you ever find joy. Have you ever found joy? How sad for you. How sad for us all. We miss him,” Debbie wrote.
“To the court. Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won’t be able to hurt other families like ours,” Debbie’s letter concluded.
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