One of two California doctors who were among five people charged in the overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of illegally distributing the drug ketamine.

Dr. Mark Chavez entered the plea during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Another physician charged in the case, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has pleaded not guilty, as has co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, whom authorities said was an illegal supplier of the drug and who has been convicted. Was known as. “Ketamine Queen.” The pair are scheduled to stand trial in March.

Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who admitted to injecting Perry, and the alleged middleman, who said he obtained ketamine from Sangha, have already pleaded guilty to charges against them Are.

Authorities said Placencia purchased ketamine from Chavez, and discussed the amount he wanted to charge Perry for the drug in text messages sent to Chavez, writing: “I wonder how much this idiot will pay.”

According to court documents, Placenia gave Perry ketamine and supplied the vials the assistant injected.

Perry died in October 2023 at the age of 54 from “acute effects” due to ketamine and other factors, causing him to become unconscious and drown in his hot tub, according to a December 2023 autopsy report.

The actor had publicly admitted substance abuse for decades, including while starring as Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s television sitcom. “Friend.”

Chávez’s lawyer Matt Binninger told reporters in August that his client is “doing everything in my power to cooperate, to help with this situation.”

“He is incredibly remorseful,” Binninger said.

The lawyer said Chávez’s regret was not because of Perry’s fame, but because of the fact that “someone who was trying to get treatment died.”