Matthew Perry's Former Assistant Sentenced In Fatal Ketamine Case
Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry's former assistant, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, for conspiring to distribute ketamine that led to the actor's death.[1]
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett also ordered two years of probation and a $10,000 fine.[1] Judge Garnett said Iwamasa was "privy" to Perry's struggle with addiction and called his conduct "reckless" in the days leading up to and on Oct. 28, 2023.[1] She said there was "no hard evidence" he acted with malicious intent, a finding that limited the sentence.[1]
Defense attorney Alan Eisner had asked for six months in prison plus six months of home confinement, saying Iwamasa had followed the directions of a powerful boss he "worshipped," but the judge rejected the plea.[1] The judge said Iwamasa was "unwilling, not unable" to refuse the boss's directions.[1]
Perry died on Oct. 28, 2023, after a fatal ketamine injection, and prosecutors said the sentence resolves the fifth and final sentencing arising from a 2 1/2-year federal investigation into his death.[1] Letters from Perry's family filed with the court said they blamed Iwamasa more than anyone and described him as a "companion and guardian" who instead enabled the actor's drug use.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Kenneth Iwamasa to three years and five months in federal prison, plus two years of probation and a $10,000 fine, for conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in Matthew Perry's death (Kenneth Iwamasa).
- Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett said in court that Iwamasa was "privy" to Matthew Perry's struggle with addiction and called his conduct "reckless" not only on October 28, 2023, the day Perry died, but also in the days leading up to his death (Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett).
- The judge found that Iwamasa did not abuse a "position of trust" for sentencing guideline purposes and said there was "no hard evidence" he acted with malicious intent, a finding that limited the sentence (position of trust).
- Defense attorney Alan Eisner asked for six months in prison plus six months of home confinement, arguing Iwamasa was following the directions of a powerful boss he "worshipped," but the judge rejected that request and said Iwamasa was "unwilling, not unable" to say no (Alan Eisner).
- Letters from Matthew Perry's family filed with the court, quoted in the article, say they blame Iwamasa more than anyone for Perry's death and describe him as someone they trusted to be a "companion and guardian" who instead enabled his drug use (Matthew Perry's family).
- The sentencing of Iwamasa was the fifth and final sentencing arising from the 2½‑year federal investigation into Perry's October 28, 2023 death, marking the end of the prosecution phase (2½‑year federal investigation).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Kenneth Iwamasa to three years and five months in federal prison, plus two years of probation and a $10,000 fine, for conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in Matthew Perry's death.
- Judge Garnett stated in court that Iwamasa was "privy" to Perry's struggle with addiction and called his conduct "reckless" not only on Oct. 28, 2023, the day Perry died, but also in the days leading up to his death.
- The judge found that Iwamasa did not abuse a position of trust for guideline purposes and said there was "no hard evidence" he acted with malicious intent, a finding that prevented a longer sentence.
- Defense attorney Alan Eisner asked for six months in prison plus six months of home confinement, arguing Iwamasa was following the directions of a powerful boss he "worshipped," but the judge rejected that request, emphasizing he was "unwilling, not unable" to say no.
- The article confirms this is the fifth and final sentencing arising from the 2½‑year federal investigation into Perry's October 28, 2023 death, marking the end of the prosecution phase.
- Letters from Matthew Perry's family to the court, quoted in the article, say they blame Iwamasa more than anyone for Perry's death and describe him as someone they trusted to be a 'companion and guardian' in Perry's fight against addiction who instead enabled his drug use.