Musician Wes Scantlin's Legan Troubles Continue with SWAT Standoff
The lead singer of Puddle of Mudd, Wes Scantlin, experienced another legal issue after a traffic stop in Burbank, California, turned into a standoff with a SWAT team.
The musician, who rose to fame in the 1990s, was arrested following an escalating incident that began with a minor traffic stop and ended with him facing charges for an outstanding warrant and resisting arrest, as the Daily Mail reports.
Routine Traffic Stop Turns Serious
Scantlin, 52, was initially pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Burbank. The stop quickly escalated when officers requested his ID and Scantlin refused to exit his Hummer H2. This refusal prompted the officers to take additional measures to ensure compliance.
Efforts quickly intensified as the refusal to cooperate led the officers to employ pepper spray. Despite this, Scantlin still did not comply, resulting in the situation necessitating further enforcement interventions.
SWAT Team Intervenes
With Scantlin still unwilling to cooperate, the officers called in a crisis negotiator in an attempt to peacefully resolve the standoff. This decision was triggered by the discovery of an outstanding warrant for Scantlin related to carrying a weapon in an airport, heightening the urgency and severity of the situation.
At approximately 4 a.m., the situation escalated further with the intervention of a SWAT team. The SWAT team forcibly extracted Scantlin from his vehicle.
Medical Attention and Booking
Following his extraction from the car, Scantlin was taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment. The treatment primarily focused on flushing his eyes to relieve the effects of the pepper spray used during the standoff. After being treated, Scantlin was booked at the local jail. The charges included both the outstanding warrant and resisting arrest, marking another entry in the musician's extensive history of legal troubles.
After his booking, Scantlin was subsequently released from custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 20 to face the charges from the recent incident. This incident is the latest in a series of legal challenges for Scantlin. Over the past decade, he has faced numerous arrests and legal complications.
History Of Legal Troubles
The musician's history includes several high-profile incidents that have impeded his career. Notably, in 2016, Scantlin missed multiple Puddle of Mudd shows due to various arrests.
During a performance in Doncaster, England, in 2016, Scantlin engaged in an onstage rant accusing an individual of stealing his house. This outburst led to his band walking off the stage in an apparent protest over his behavior.
Legal Issues Affect Career
In January 2016, Scantlin's erratic behavior continued at a show in Ohio where he again accused an audience member of stealing his house. This accusation mirrored his previous outburst in Doncaster.
In February 2016, Scantlin pleaded not guilty to felony vandalism charges. This charge arose after causing $7,000 in damage to his former home, adding to his mounting legal troubles.
Numerous Past Arrests
The singer's legal issues extend beyond these incidents. In September 2012, Scantlin was arrested for drunk behavior which caused a flight to make an emergency landing.
He faced additional charges in January 2015 for trespassing at Denver International Airport. Similarly, he was charged with DUI in southern Minnesota in July 2015.
Scantlin also has a notable incident from May 2013 where he was arrested for domestic abuse after allegedly dragging his ex-wife. His issues with substance abuse surfaced in 2012 when he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession.
Adding to his list of legal woes, in 2007, Scantlin received a lifetime ban from Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion. The ban was the result of Scantlin swimming in the private pool without permission.
Conclusion
The latest incident involving Wes Scantlin exacerbates an already troubled history of legal issues and personal challenges.
Following his standoff with the SWAT team, Scantlin faces serious charges including resisting arrest and addressing an outstanding warrant.
With a court appearance scheduled for August 20, the musician's ongoing legal battles continue to overshadow his career.