Former Major League outfielder Lenny Dykstra, who played for the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, is under investigation on drug-related charges after a traffic stop on New Year's Day, local outlets including U.S. sports media The Athletic reported.
According to Pennsylvania state police, Dykstra was found on Jan. 1 in Pike County, Pennsylvania, during a vehicle stop to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. At the time, Dykstra was seated in the passenger seat of a 2015 GMC Sierra pickup truck, and the driver's identity has not been released.
Police said the vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation, and during a further investigation they confirmed Dykstra possessed illegal substances and related equipment. However, the specific charges and the types of drugs seized were not disclosed. Police said only that "formal charges are expected to be filed later."
Dykstra's attorney, Matthew Blewitt, denied the allegations outright. In a statement he said, "Dykstra was neither the owner nor the driver of the vehicle and was merely a passenger." He added that "the vehicle's actual driver and owner was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence" and emphasized that "Dykstra was not under the influence of any substance and was not arrested or detained at the scene."
Dykstra has faced legal problems in the past. In 2012 he pleaded not guilty to indecent conduct charges, and later served time for bankruptcy fraud and money laundering. He also paid a fine in 2019 for illegally renting dwellings in the name of a company. That same year, drug and intimidation charges brought after an altercation with an Uber driver were dismissed.
Dykstra was a member of the Mets' 1986 World Series championship team and played for the Mets and Philadelphia over 12 major league seasons. He was selected to the All-Star team three times, won the Silver Slugger award, and ended his playing career after the 1996 season.
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