A man arrested in connection with Matthew Perry‘s death has a tenuous connection to actress Scarlett Johansson.
Erik Fleming is one of five people arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation into the Friends actor’s October 28, 2023 overdose death. Listed as Perry’s “acquaintance” in documents from the Department of Justice, Fleming is being charged as the middleman responsible for helping to coordinate the sale of ketamine that killed the actor.
Fleming, 54, was once active in Hollywood circles and directed a 1999 children’s fantasy comedy starring Eva Mendes and Johansson, titled My Brother the Pig, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Per documents from The Department of Justice, Fleming is accused of acting as a drug dealer co-ordinating the sale of ketamine with Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and supplier Jasveen Sangha, the so-called Ketamine Queen of Hollywood.
According to the DOJ, “after discussing prices with Iwamasa, Fleming coordinated the drug sales with Sangha, and brought cash from Iwamasa to Sangha’s stash house in North Hollywood to buy vials of ketamine.” Four days before Perry’s death, Fleming allegedly informed the assistant that the ketamine was “on its way to our girl,” in reference to Sangha.
On August 8, Fleming pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. He admitted to distributing 50 vials of ketamine, half of them four days before Perry’s death. He faces up to 25 years in his federal case.
During his Hollywood career, Fleming produced first season of reality show The Surreal Life in 2003, which featured Corey Feldman, Gabrielle Carteris, Vince Neil and MC Hammer. He also directed and produced Tyrone, a 1999 road trip movie starring Coolio and Kevin Connolly.
In addition to Fleming, Iwamasa and Sangha, two doctors — Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez — have also been arrested. The duo are also accused of working to supply Perry with ketamine. Plasencia allegedly learned that Perry was interested in purchasing the drug last September, according to CNN, and texted Chavez to say he wanted to her the actor’s sole supplier. “I wonder how much this moron will pay?” he allegedly wrote.
Throughout September and early October, Plasencia allegedly purchased ketamine from Chavez, sold vials to assistant, taught the assistant how to administer the drugs and even injected the actor with large doses of the drug himself.
On October 28, Perry’s body was found in a jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home. He died from “acute effects of ketamine” and subsequent drowning, according to an autopsy report.
Before you go, click here to see celebrities who have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction.
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