Artie Lange Sentenced in Drug Case

Comedian Artie Lange will avoid time behind bars in his heroin possession case.

A spokesperson for the Essex County, New Jersey prosecutor’s office told TheWrap that the former Howard Stern sidekick was sentenced in his drug case Friday, receiving four years probation as well as 50 hours of community service.

Lange must also undergo an outpatient rehabilitation program.

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Lange pleaded guilty in December 2017 to one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The comedian had also been charged with possession of cocaine, though that charge was dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

Specifically, Lange pleaded guilty to possession of 81 decks of heroin.

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Lange was arrested in May 2017. According to NJ.com, Lange was seen erratically driving his Range Rover on the Garden State Parkway. When stopped, law enforcement found a bag of heroin on his lap. Lange was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia.

Lange, who has been open about his struggles with drugs in the past, tweeted Friday morning that he was on his way to his sentencing, adding, “I honestly don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

He added, “To tell the truth the judge has been really fair and patient. The attorneys for the state have been great as well. And my attorney Frank Arleo has been outstanding. I’m the only scumbag in the group. I’m hoping for the best. But whatever the judge says I will do it like a man.”

Lange’s attorney, Frank Arleo, told TheWrap in a statement Friday, “Judge Nancy Sivilli did a terrific job of thoughtfully analyzing all of the relevant factors and crafting a sentence that allows Artie Lange continue to make a living and attend out patient treatment rather than impose a jail sentence or lengthy in patient treatment, which would have hampered, if not destroyed, his career. It will now be up to Artie to follow through and hopefully get past his addictions once and for all. We are all praying for him.”

On way to my sentencing court date. This is as good as I’m gonna look! I honestly don’t know what’s gonna happen. I’ve been a good boy and juggled work w recovery. Ive been my moms only source of income for 30 years… ok. I know. Wahhhh! Ur right. We all got sob stories… pic.twitter.com/7wP7c12YOd

— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) June 1, 2018

To tell the truth the Judge has been really fair and patient. The attorneys for the state have been great as well. And my attorney Frank Arleo has been outstanding. Im the only scumbag in the group. I’m hoping for the best. But whatever the judge says I will do it like a man.. pic.twitter.com/x05eRcLNU0

— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) June 1, 2018

So in conclusion let me talk to the blue collar tough kids I grew up with -and I quote “Cmon boys. Let’s go say a prayer for a kid who couldn’t run as fast as I could”. Peace. Artie pic.twitter.com/WaOw30DsRI

— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) June 1, 2018