Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death released on $50,000 bond, expected to plead guilty

Dr. Mark Chavez, one of the doctors charged in Matthew Perry's death from "the acute effects of ketamine" last year, has been allowed to be released on a $50,000 bond, USA TODAY has confirmed.

On Friday, the San Diego-based doctor appeared in federal court in Los Angeles. During the arraignment, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth permitted Chavez to post a $50,000 bond, with conditions of his release stating he must surrender his passport and medical license, according to NBC News, CBS News and The Associated Press.

The charge comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; a three-year period of supervised release; or a fine of $500,000, "or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest."

USA TODAY has reached out to Chavez's attorney for comment.

Chavez, who used to operate a ketamine clinic, faces one charge of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Earlier this month, he signed a plea agreement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and is expected to plead guilty in the coming weeks.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

According to the court document, Chavez illegally obtained ketamine that was sold to Perry by presenting false information and writing a prescription without an unnamed patient's consent. U.S. attorneys say he fraudulently obtained a total of 22 vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges that were sold to Perry via another doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia.

Five people have been charged in connection Perry's death, and two of them — Perry's assistant and a man who admitted to distributing the ketamine that killed Perry — have entered guilty pleas.

Perry, who was open about his struggles with addiction, died at his Los Angeles-area home on Oct. 28 after responding officers discovered him unconscious in his jacuzzi. His live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, placed the 911 call.

More than a month later, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office ruled Perry's death an accident, with the primary cause being "the acute effects of ketamine."

Matthew Perry's family speaks out:'We look forward to justice taking its course'

Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death is 'incredibly remorseful'

Outside the courthouse on Friday, Chavez and his lawyer, Matthew Binninger, fielded questions from media outlets.

“He’s incredibly remorseful, not just because it happened to Matthew Perry, but because it happened to a patient,” Binninger said, according to the AP. “He’s trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here. He didn’t accept responsibility today, but only because it wasn’t on the calendar.”

“He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate and help with this situation," he added.

When asked what message they'd convey to Perry's family, Binninger responded, "I’m afraid I can’t answer that question other than to say that we’re incredibly sorry that someone lost their life. It doesn’t matter that he was a famous celebrity, and I know that he was incredibly universally loved by all. It’s a shame at what happened.”

Who was accused in Matthew Perry's death?

Leading up to Perry's death, Iwamasa purchased at least $55,000 worth of ketamine for the actor, attorneys have said. He pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Erik Fleming, described as Perry's acquaintance, admitted he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry; on Aug. 8, he pleaded guilty to two charges: conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Officials allege Jasveen Sangha sold Fleming the ketamine that led to Perry's death. Sangha, who is referred to as the "The Ketamine Queen" of North Hollywood in U.S. attorneys' filings, faces nine criminal charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death and maintaining a drug-involved "stash house."

Sangha, who has pleaded not guilty to all counts, and Plasencia are accused of "distributing ketamine to Perry during the final weeks of the actor’s life." Plasencia, who allegedly obtained ketamine that he sold to Perry from Chavez, faces 10 total criminal counts and has pleaded not guilty.

A case management conference is scheduled for Sept. 4 in Sangha and Plasencia's case.

Plasencia, who operates Malibu Canyon Urgent Care in Calabasas, California, would be returning to his practice, his attorney told USA TODAY on Aug. 21.