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Pennsylvania State Police believe former MLB All-Star Lenny Dykstra was in possession of crack cocaine or methamphetamine during a New Year’s Day traffic stop that led to his arrest.
TMZ Sports reported that Dykstra was in the passenger seat of a 2015 GMC Sierra when authorities pulled the vehicle over just after midnight for a traffic violation.
The vehicle was inspected and police reportedly opened the glove compartment to find what appeared to be a “container of suspected crack cocaine/methamphetamine and a glass smoking device containing suspected drug residue,” according to the outlet.
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Lenny Dykstra attends the 69th Annual Artists and Writers Softball Game at Herrick Park on August 19, 2017 in East Hampton, New York. (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)
Dykstra was arrested despite officers allegedly failing to conduct initial tests on the alleged drugs, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has since been charged with misdemeanor possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Matthew Blit, Dykstra’s attorney, said his client is innocent.
“We firmly assert that the alleged drugs did not belong to Lenny, who is currently recovering from a severe stroke,” Blit said in a statement obtained by Pakinomist Digital. “Lenny was not knowingly in possession of or under the influence of drugs on his person and was not taken into custody at the scene.
EX-MLB ALL-STAR LENNY DYKSTRA IS ON DRUG CHARGES AFTER NEW YEAR’S DAY TRAFFIC STOP IN PENNSYLVANIA
“The driver was arrested and taken into custody at the scene and charged with 17 counts, including being under the influence. Not Lenny. Attorney Tom Mincer and our team remain steadfast in our commitment to exonerate Lenny on all possession charges.”
The traffic stop occurred in Pike County, about 25 miles east of Scranton, where Dykstra lives.
Dykstra has had legal troubles in the past, including serving time in prison in California for bankruptcy fraud. He was sentenced to more than six months after being found guilty of concealing baseball gloves and other items from his days in the MLB.
Dykstra also served a three-year sentence for pleading no contest to Grand Theft Auto and filing a false financial statement, claiming he owed more than $31 million when he had only $50,000 in assets. His prison terms ran concurrently.
Lenny Dykstra #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the dugout against the San Francisco Giants during a Major League Baseball game circa 1993 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. Dykstra played for the Phillies from 1989-96. (Focus on Sports/Getty Images)
Then, in April 2012, he pleaded no contest to exposing himself to women he met through Craiglist.
That same year, Dykstra had charges of narcotics and terroristic threats dropped after an argument with an Uber driver. Police said at the time that they found cocaine, MDMA and marijuana among Dykstra’s possessions, although his attorney claimed the incident was “exaggerated.”
Dykstra was a three-time All-Star during his 12-year MLB career, which began with the New York Mets and ended with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra, accused of making threats against an Uber driver, rejects a plea offer before Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph Donahue. Lawyer Michael Brucki stands next to him. (IMAGIN)
All three of Dykstra’s All-Star seasons came in Philadelphia, where he was traded to New York during the 1989 season.
Dykstra finished second in MVP voting in the 1993 season after leading the National League with 194 hits, 143 runs and 129 walks while hitting .305/.420/.382 with 44 doubles and 66 RBI.
