One-year probation for man arrested with 60 bags of heroin in Paterson
By Jayed Rahman
Published: September 12, 2020
A man arrested in June with 60 bags of heroin is getting a one-year probation sentence.
Moshe M. Kahan, 33, pleaded guilty to a single count of third-degree drug possession on Tuesday morning.
Kahan admitted to having the 60 bags of heroin in his hands on June 15 on 6th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson.
Kahan faced a maximum of five years in state prison, but entered into a plea agreement with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. His probation will run concurrent with an existing municipal court probation term.
“I just want this drug thing behind me and still make a life for myself,” said Kahan. He worried he won’t be able to become a certified public accountant with a drug conviction.
Once he successfully completes probation, Kahan will be able to expunge his criminal record.
Passaic County Superior Court judge Justine Niccollai sentenced Kahan to one-year probation on October 2.
Niccollai urged him to continue getting help to give up his drug addiction.
Kahan has used marijuana every day from age 13. He used alcohol once a week from age 14. He used cocaine every day from age 17. And he used heroin every day from age 24.
Kahan tried to give up the drugs, but relapsed. He told the judge he has been clean for the past two months. He is receiving treatment and has been meeting with a counselor.
“The substances that you were using, especially heroin, with whatever they’re doing to the heroin out there on the streets — it could be the last breath you take when you use,” said Niccollai on October 2. “I don’t want to see that happen to you.”
Kahan graduated from Brooklyn College in 2010. He was working at a nursing center. He also swabbed people during the Covid-19 outbreak. He worked at Amazon from 2019 to 2020.
Email: [email protected]
Updated October 2 at 4 p.m.