Puddle of Mudd Front Man Pleads Not Guilty to Vandalizing Foreclosed Home

The frontman for the rock band Puddle of Mudd pleaded not guilty Friday to felony vandalism and misdemeanor trespassing charges for allegedly damaging a home north of West Hollywood that he lost to foreclosure.

Wesley Scantlin, 43, is due back in court Feb. 19, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial on the two counts.

Scantlin missed a court appearance Wednesday, with his attorney telling Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II that his client had missed a flight and that it appeared his wallet had either been lost or stolen.

Scantlin faces up to three years in jail if convicted of the charges filed Tuesday, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said Scantlin recently lost the home in the 1500 block of Sunset Plaza Drive, in the hills north of Sunset Boulevard, to foreclosure. He allegedly broke a window trying to get back in the house, but when he was unable to do so, he got a locksmith to change the locks. He allegedly ripped an alarm system out of a wall and vandalized a garage door and plumbing, causing about $7,000 in damage. He was arrested at the home Jan. 9 and released the same day on a $20,000 bond.

Scantlin made headlines earlier this week when he had a melt-down during a concert in Ohio, glaring at a fan and accusing him of stealing his house. Scantlin went on a roughly five-minute, profanity-filled rant, then stormed off stage.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of the US Navy