Funnyman Artie Lange has been charged with three disorderly persons offenses after police officers allegedly found him in possession of drugs in March (17).
The comedian, who stars in new show Crashing, was arrested outside his home in Hoboken, New Jersey after cops allegedly found cocaine, heroin and drug paraphernalia on him and in his parked car.
He was taken into custody and booked on two counts of drug possession before being released.
However, prosecutors have now dropped that offense and have opted to charged him with three counts of “disorderly persons”, which are less serious counts given in cases related to a small amount of drugs, a simple assault or a petty theft, for example.
According to TMZ.com, he was not charged with drug possession, which carries a maximum sentence of five years, for the drugs allegedly found in his parked car because he wasn’t in it when the police arrived and it would be hard to prove the drugs were his. It is unclear why he hasn’t been charged over the substance allegedly found on him.
Lange, who has a long history of substance abuse, took to Twitter shortly after his arrest to assure fans he was doing well and praise the arresting officers.
Hey guys. I was arrested. I'm doing great. Physically too! I'm in St. Louis & will be on stage this weekend at The Funnybone! Love u all!..
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) March 17, 2017
“Hey guys. I was arrested. I’m doing great. Physically too!,” he posted. “I wish I could tell u how my story ends… I hope it’s being old & smiling cuz of unique memories. But I’m such a flawed person guys. Tryin (sic)!”
