Ex-NY Met Outfielder Lenny Dykstra Charged with Drugs After Traffic Stop

Former New York Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra has been charged with drug-related offenses following a traffic stop on January 1, 2024. Pennsylvania State Police apprehended the vehicle in which the 62-year-old was a passenger during a patrol in Pike County, approximately 25 miles east of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Dykstra resides.

Dykstra’s Legal Troubles

During the traffic stop, police discovered drugs and paraphernalia in Dykstra’s possession. Although specific charges have not yet been disclosed, authorities confirmed that legal action would proceed. Dykstra’s attorney, Matt Blit, indicated that a formal statement regarding the situation would be released.

Career Highlights

• Dykstra played for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
• He earned the nickname “Nails” for his tough playing style.

Past Convictions

Throughout his career, Dykstra faced significant legal issues. He served over six months in a California prison for bankruptcy fraud, after hiding assets that included sports memorabilia. Furthermore, he received a concurrent three-year sentence for grand theft auto and falsifying financial statements. Dykstra claimed to have debts exceeding $31 million while declaring only $50,000 in assets.

Additional Incidents

• In 2012, he pleaded no contest to charges of indecent exposure involving women contacted via Craigslist.
• Dykstra faced fines after illegally renting out properties in New Jersey through his company, Titan Equity Group.
• A judge dismissed charges from 2019 involving drugs and threats made during an altercation with an Uber driver.

In 2020, a New York Supreme Court judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit that Dykstra had filed against his former teammate Ron Darling. The court noted that Dykstra’s reputation for unsportsmanlike behavior had already suffered irreparable damage due to previous allegations of misconduct.

As legal proceedings move forward, Dykstra’s situation remains a focal point for both fans and observers of professional baseball.