Artie Lange Lands In Jail As Demolished Nose, Drug Horror Persist

Artie Lange, the former co-host of the Howard Stern Show and New Jersey native, landed in jail this week as his well-reported drug horror continues. His demolished nose was again photographed – only now it appeared to be bleeding in the picture.

Lange went to Drug Court in Essex County on Wednesday and then was sent to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark after he tested positive for cocaine and morphine, according to Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

The original plan was for him to enter drug court in Essex County and immediately transfer to Hudson County, where he lives. "That did not occur because he tested positive for cocaine and morphine," Carter said.

The next step will be for him to be evaluated for a drug-court-approved treatment program. In the interim, he will remain in custody in Essex County, Carter said.

On Lange's Twitter account, his associates said that, starting Wednesday, "Artie will be undergoing a long term treatment program. He loves and respects his fans... updates coming soon.. and it’s time."

Lange's new troubles are part of the long, sad drug-addiction saga for the comedian, who lives in Hoboken. He's gone on social media and video to address the growing concerns from famous comedians about his demolished nose and his drug addiction.

Recently, Lange said he was "blown away" by reactions from Richard Lewis, Patton Oswalt and others, even as his recent appearance in court drew fears that his descent into drugs is getting worse.

Earlier in January, Lange commented on a Variety article that quoted a tweet from Richard Lewis that said: “Artie, this is my 1,000th request over decades to beg you to surrender to your addictions. When you had time clean we had the most laughs sober. I love you. You’re beloved and a magnificent comedian cursed with self-loathing and fear. Give it up and live.”

"Wow I just read this article," Lange replied on Twitter. "Guys I’m so blown away by this concern for me. I do not deserve it. I promise u I don’t mean any disrespect to u all. I want to live. I want to work. I’m so sorry if I cause u to worry. I love u & I hear u. Loud and clear. Artie."

The troubles accelerated for Lange in December when he appeared in state Superior Court in Newark for a probation violation, according to nj.com. He avoided jail time even though he admitted that he had drugs in his system.

Since then, Lange has actually made some appearances and has made light of his facial troubles on social media.

Indeed, right after the court appearance, Lange felt compelled to talk about his mangled, caved-in nose that shocked many of his fans when they saw it on video. He said it's from years of snorting heroin and cocaine, and he even accidentally snorted glass once as he tried to ingest opiates, an incident he talked about in his memoir.

During the summer, an Essex County assistant prosecutor said Lange may be his “own worst enemy” after avoiding inpatient drug treatment following his heroin possession arrest last year.

In June, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Superior Court Judge Nancy Sivilli placed Lange, 50, on probation for four years and ordered him into outpatient drug treatment.

Lange faced mandatory drug screening, fines and 50 hours of community service. If Lange was to fail to live up to the terms of the probation, he could be incarcerated for five years, prosecutors said.

The comedian, known for his appearances on The Howard Stern Show and Mad TV, pleaded guilty to possessing 81 decks of heroin in December of 2017. His plea agreement called for a probationary term and drug treatment, prosecutors said.

Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez had urged Sivilli to force Lange into a residential treatment program, noting that during the plea, the comedian indicated he was going to residential treatment in Georgia but allegedly never did.

“This defendant is his own worst enemy,” Gutierrez said of Lange. “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.”

Sivilli ordered Lange to enroll in an outpatient rehab program after the comedian said he preferred to be able to work, but in November, he relapsed, according to nj.com. Lange checked into "Retreat" in Pennsylvania even as he performed at shows in New Brunswick and Cherry Hill. Later, after leaving rehab for good, he announced that he was clean.

• See related article: The Addiction Industry: NJ Scientist Says Opioid Treatment Needs To Change
• See related article: Wife Blames Drugs For Husband's Death At Prison In Essex County

Lange has been candid about the plea deal and his ongoing struggles with addiction on Twitter, posting several updates about the case over the past week:

• June 1 - “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. I’ve been my moms only source of income for 30 years... OK. I know. Wahhhh! Ur right. We all got sob stories.”
• June 1 – “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.”
• June 2 – “The judge was very fair! But 4 years probation is a long time. I am gonna try my best. If I end up in jail for years let my life be a lesson to you kids battling heroin. I had everything! And more. I traded it for powder. Don’t make that mistake. Ur better than that. And I love u!”
• June 2 – “Also the prosecutor Tony is a good man. I truly feel he wants the best for me. He was doing his job. His words were heard! Loud and clear. I thank him as well as my lawyer Frank Arleo. Two good men and a woman on the bench who commands respect! She has mine. Stay tuned guys. Peace!”

Here is what happened around the time he did a show in New York once the news about his nose broke:

During a recent court hearing hearing, Sivilli directed Lange’s attorney to make an application to drug court, according to nj.com. If Lange was not accepted into the program, he was supposed to go to jail.

During the hearing, Lange said about cocaine: "It’s in my system and it shouldn’t be."

With reporting by Eric Kiefer

Essex County jail photo