5 people charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death – Here’s what you should know about overdose-related crimes

Drug offenses like those brought against five people in connection with the death of Matthew Perry are rare, says a legal expert.

Jasveen Sangha – also known as the “Ketamine Queen” according to US Attorney Martin Estrada – and Dr. Salvador Plascencia are currently facing charges in this case, the US Department of Justice announced on August 15.

Sangha is charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, operating a drug-related establishment, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of ketamine with intent to distribute and five counts of distribution of ketamine, according to the Justice Department. Plascencia, a licensed physician, is charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

A former federal prosecutor tells PEOPLE he is not surprised that charges have been filed in Perry’s death.

“Celebrities put a lot more pressure on prosecutors to act,” attorney Neama Rahmani tells PEOPLE. “Every prosecutor is either elected or appointed by someone who is. The practical reality is that many of them want to make a name for themselves. You can’t prosecute every case, so you end up prosecuting cases to make a point or to create a deterrent effect.”

According to Rahmani, the defendants face prison sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment.

“If you distribute drugs and someone dies, there are different minimum sentences,” he adds. “There are five, 10 and 15 years. There is even a life sentence, depending on the number of factors.”

The former Friends Star died of an accidental drug overdose on Oct. 28 at age 54. Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine, according to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE. Other contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.

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The Los Angeles Police Department began investigating the star’s death in May after the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office completed its investigation. An investigative source at the LAPD told PEOPLE that the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. postal inspectors were also involved in the investigation.

Ketamine-related prosecutions are “definitely increasing,” Rahmani says, adding that ketamine is “a controversial drug.”

“Many people believe it helps with depression and anxiety,” says Rahmani. “Some say it’s life-changing when done in the right therapeutic setting, but it’s a very commonly abused recreational drug.”

Also charged in connection with Perry’s death were Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, Dr. Mark Chavez and Erik Fleming. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, according to the Justice Department. Chavez will plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, while Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death, the Justice Department said. They all face prison time.

In 2022, Perry spoke to PEOPLE about his memoir Friends, lovers and the big, terrible thingin which he spoke openly about his struggle with addiction.

He said at the time that he thought people reading the book would be “surprised at how bad it got at certain times and how close I was to death. I say in the book if I died it would be a shock to people, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone,” he said. “And it’s very scary to live with. So I hope people can relate to that and know that this disease affects everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re successful or not, the disease doesn’t care.”

Following Perry’s death, his family told PEOPLE exclusively that they were “heartbroken over the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother.”

“Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend,” they added. “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous love you have shown us.”