Dr. Mark Chavez, one of the medical professionals charged in the death of Matthew Perry due to “the acute effects of ketamine” last year, has been granted release on a $50,000 bail, as confirmed by YSL News.

On Friday, the doctor from San Diego appeared in federal court in Los Angeles. At the arraignment, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth approved Chavez’s release on a $50,000 bond, under the condition that he gives up his passport and medical license, as reported by NBC News, CBS News, and The Associated Press.

YSL News is currently seeking a statement from Chavez’s attorney.

Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic, is facing a charge of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Earlier this month, he signed a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and is anticipated to plead guilty soon.

The court filings indicate that Chavez unlawfully acquired ketamine, which was dispensed to Perry through fraudulent means, including writing a prescription without consent from an unspecified patient. According to U.S. attorneys, he deceptively acquired 22 vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges that were transferred to Perry through another doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia.

A total of five people face charges related to Perry’s death, with two — Perry’s assistant and another man who confessed to distributing the fatal ketamine — having already pleaded guilty.

Perry openly discussed his battle with addiction and tragically passed away at his home near Los Angeles on October 28 after emergency responders found him unresponsive in his jacuzzi. His assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, made the 911 call.

Over a month later, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that Perry’s death was accidental, primarily caused by “the acute effects of ketamine.”

Chavez expresses deep remorse regarding Perry’s death

Following the court proceedings on Friday, Chavez and his lawyer, Matthew Binninger, addressed the media.

“He feels a profound sense of remorse, not just for what happened to Matthew Perry, but for the impact on a patient,” Binninger explained, per the AP. “He is committed to taking all necessary steps to correct the wrong that occurred. He didn’t accept responsibility today, but that was only because it wasn’t part of today’s agenda.”

“He is doing everything possible to assist with this matter,” Binninger further stated.

When asked what message they would have for Perry’s family, Binninger replied, “I can’t exactly speak to that, except to express our heartfelt sorrow for the loss of life. It doesn’t matter that he was a well-known celebrity; he was deeply loved by many. It’s tragic what happened.”

Who are those accused in connection with Perry’s death?

In the lead-up to Perry’s death, Iwamasa allegedly spent over $55,000 acquiring ketamine for the actor, according to attorney statements. He pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to distribute ketamine earlier this month.

Erik Fleming, noted to be an acquaintance of Perry, confessed to providing the ketamine that resulted in Perry’s death; he pleaded guilty on August 8 to two charges: conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution causing death.

Officials allege that Jasveen Sangha supplied the ketamine that led to Perry’s demise. Sangha, nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood in legal documents, is facing nine charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death, and operating a drug-involved “stash house.”

Sangha has pleaded not guilty to all charges, while Dr. Plasencia is accused of having “distributed ketamine to Perry in the last weeks of his life” and is facing ten criminal counts, maintaining a plea of not guilty.

Plasencia, who runs Malibu Canyon Urgent Care in Calabasas, California, is set to return to his practice, as informed by his lawyer to YSL News on August 21.