June 1, 2018
Comedian Artie Lange Sentenced to Probation for Possession of Heroin
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that comedian Artie Lange, 50, of Hoboken was sentenced to probation by the Honorable Nancy Sivilli, Judge of the Superior Court, after pleading guilty to possession of heroin.
Back in December 2017, Lange pled guilty to possession of 81 decks of heroin. The plea agreement called for a probationary term but was also supposed to include drug treatment.
Today, Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez, who is handling the case, urged the judge to force Lange into a residential treatment program, noting that during the plea Lange indicated he was going to residential treatment in Georgia but never did.
“This defendant is his own worst enemy. He is not doing the right thing to help himself. He needs court-mandated drug treatment for 18 months to two years — not outpatient treatment,’’ said Gutierrez, adding he feared Lange would end up violating probation or even dead if he is not court-ordered into a residential treatment program.
Judge Sivilli placed him on probation for four years, ordered him into outpatient drug treatment, mandatory drug screening, imposed fines and required him to perform 50 hours of community service. If he fails to live up to the terms of the probation, he could be incarcerated for five years.
