A licensed drug addiction counselor was sentenced Wednesday to two years in federal prison for distributing ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry [1].

The sentencing marks a legal conclusion to the investigation into the substances that led to the death of the "Friends" star. It highlights the severe legal consequences for medical professionals who distribute controlled substances outside of legal prescriptions.

Erik Fleming, 56, appeared in a Los Angeles federal court on May 13, 2026 [4, 5]. He had previously pleaded guilty to the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death [2].

Court documents show Fleming sold 51 vials of ketamine to Perry [2]. One of those doses caused the fatal overdose that occurred in 2023 [3].

Federal prosecutors said Fleming used his professional standing as a counselor to facilitate the drug trade. The court said that the distribution of the ketamine was the direct cause of Perry's death [1].

The two-year sentence reflects the federal guidelines for drug distribution resulting in fatality, though the counselor's professional license was a central point of the prosecution's case [1].

“Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years in federal prison for distributing ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry.”

This case underscores the federal government's focus on 'pill mill' style distribution and the accountability of licensed healthcare providers. By securing a prison sentence for a licensed counselor, the judiciary signals that professional credentials do not provide immunity when controlled substances are diverted for illegal use, particularly in cases resulting in death.