Exuberant Mets fan sentenced to $5,000 in fines and penalties and community service
Rafael Diaz outside his house with the Gary Carter jersey he wore onto the field. (Steve Pfost) Credit: Rafael Diaz outside his house with the Gary Carter jersey he wore onto the field. (Steve Pfost)
The man who ran into Citi Field after Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in Metss history on June 1 pleaded guilty yesterday to interfering with a professional sporting event and was sentenced to pay $5,000 in fines and penalties, perform 100 hours of community service and is banned from visiting Citi Field for one year.
In addition, Mets served Rafael Diaz, 33, of Massapequa, with a trespass notice to indefinitely prevent him from visiting any of their sporting facilities.
"The defendant's antics have resulted in a criminal record, the paying of thousands of dollars in fines and civil penalties, and -- perhaps the worse punishment for any true Mets fan -- precludes him from ever again visiting Citi Field," said Queens DA Richard Brown.
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