Kenneth Iwamasa, the former assistant to the late Matthew Perry, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his involvement in the actor’s death from ketamine intoxication in October 2023. The sentence also includes two years of supervised release and fines totaling $10,100. Iwamasa is required to surrender to authorities by noon on July 17 to begin serving his term.
Iwamasa had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, admitting that he repeatedly administered the drug to Perry in the days leading up to the actor’s death. According to court documents, on the day Perry died, the actor asked Iwamasa for a “big one” of ketamine. After complying, Iwamasa left Perry’s Los Angeles home and returned to find him unresponsive in his jacuzzi.
The case involved five defendants connected to Perry’s death, with Iwamasa being the last to receive a sentence. Prosecutors had recommended the 41-month prison term, citing the repeated administration of the drug and the serious consequences of his actions, while his attorneys requested a lighter sentence of six months in prison and six months of home confinement.
During the sentencing hearing, Iwamasa addressed Perry’s family and friends, expressing remorse for his actions. “I’m so sorry to all of you,” he said. “You all know how much Matthew loved you. I will forever regret it and take it to my grave. I will be a cautionary tale and make better choices than I did. I’m horribly, horribly sorry.”
The judge overseeing the case emphasized that Iwamasa’s actions directly contributed to the untimely death of a beloved actor, underscoring the gravity of distributing controlled substances outside medical supervision. Perry’s death had already been ruled the result of acute effects of ketamine, highlighting the lethal risks of recreational or unsupervised drug use.
This sentencing concludes a complex legal chapter in the aftermath of Perry’s death, marking accountability for those who provided him with dangerous substances. The ruling is intended to send a clear message about the serious consequences of facilitating drug use that leads to fatal outcomes.
As Iwamasa prepares to begin his prison term, Perry’s family continues to mourn the actor’s loss while grappling with the impact of the legal proceedings. The case remains a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of substance abuse and the legal responsibilities of those around vulnerable individuals.
