Former MLB star Lenny Dykstra waives hearing on drug-possession charge

A resident of Scranton for the past few years, Dykstra was charged on New Year’s Day with possession of a controlled substance and of drug paraphernalia after Pennsylvania State Police stopped a vehicle in which he was the front-seat passenger, near Lake Wallenpaupack. A police affidavit said Dykstra immediately turned over to police a small pouch containing a small amount of narcotics, either crack cocaine or meth. Dykstra told troopers Kevin Zelna, the driver of the vehicle, put the items in the pouch, according to a criminal complaint.

Zelna, 37, faces seven misdemeanor charges and 10 summary counts, which include driving under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and possessing forged documents. The charges against Zelna were forwarded to Pike County Court after his preliminary hearing on Feb. 17.

In January, Dykstra’s attorney, Thomas Mincer, expressed confidence that Dykstra, who continues to recover from a stroke, would successfully fight the charges. Dykstra was not knowingly in possession of or under the influence of any narcotics, had none on his person and was not taken into custody at the scene of the traffic stop, Mincer had said in an email. For Dykstra’s proceeding Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Randy Schmalzle in Palmyra Township, Dykstra wore a dark suit, button-down shirt and a tie.

Mincer asked Dykstra various procedural questions regarding the waiving of the preliminary hearing, including: that they have “discussed various negotiations so far;” the waiver means the case now gets sent to Pike County Court; Dykstra would be released on his own recognizance without having to post bail, and he would have to attend any court hearings and remain in contact with his attorneys. Dykstra answered yes, that he understood. “Don’t get in any trouble,” while the case remains pending, Mincer told Dykstra.