Matthew Perry’s Personal Assistant Sentenced To Over Three Years In Prison For Enabling His Ketamine Addiction

Friends star Matthew Perry’s trusted personal assistant was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for a central role in his death. He was the fifth and the final person to be convicted in connection with the late actor’s death.

Kenneth Iwamasa, 60, was handed down the prison sentence by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett on May 27, 2026. The verdict was given in federal court in Los Angeles. Apart from the prison sentence, Iwamasa has also been sentenced to two years of probation and a $10,000 fine.

Judge Garnett told Iwamasa on Wednesday, “You were privy to his struggle with addiction. Your conduct was reckless, not just on the day of his death but in the days leading up to his death.”

Although the sentencing was exactly what prosecutors sought, the judge disagreed with some of the arguments. She ruled that Iwamasa did not abuse a place of trust, which could have extended his sentence.

She said, “There is no hard evidence that you acted with malicious intent, though some would disagree.”

Iwamasa was the last person to see Perry alive, and he was also the one who found him dead in his jacuzzi. The personal assistant acted as the Friends star’s enabler and drug messenger. He played a key role in Perry’s descent into ketamine addiction. Iwamasa injected him with a fatal dose of the drug and even worked as his de facto doctor.

In court, Iwamasa’s lawyer argued that he was only following the direction of Matthew Perry. “His loyalty to Mr. Perry was paramount. He worshipped Mr. Perry; he looked up to Mr. Perry. All he did was please and accommodate Mr. Perry,” said lawyer Alan Eisner.

The defense argued for a six-month prison term with six months of home confinement, claiming that Iwamasa was unable to refuse Perry’s orders. However, the judge ruled, "Unwilling." Not unable. He could have said no.”

Perry’s family blamed Iwamasa for his death. They stated that he was not only just a personal assistant for the actor but also a longtime friend who could have helped him maintain his sobriety instead of indulging his addiction.

In a letter to the judge, Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, wrote, “Mathew trusted Kenny. We trusted Kenny. Kenny’s most important job — by far — was to be my son’s companion and guardian in his fight against addiction. We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price.”

Iwamasa reached a plea deal with the prosecutors in August 2024. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, resulting in death. He also served as the biggest witness in the investigation into Perry’s death.

Doctor Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 2 and ½ years in prison in July for selling the ketamine and teaching Iwamasa how to inject it. Another dealer, Jasveen Sangha, was sentenced to 15 years on April 8.