The embattled singer is facing domestic violence and drug charges after a dispute with his girlfriend
Wes Scantlin, the lead singer of Puddle of Mudd, has faced numerous legal challenges throughout his career. His most recent arrest occurred on March 11, 2025, in Torrance, California, following an alleged domestic dispute with his girlfriend. Police responded to reports of a fight at Scantlin’s apartment around 3:00 a.m. Upon arrival, officers observed visible marks on his girlfriend’s arms, indicating that a verbal argument had escalated into physical violence. During a subsequent search, authorities discovered a small amount of a controlled substance on Scantlin’s person. He was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence and possession of a controlled substance. After being booked into jail, Scantlin was released on bond on March 15, with court appearances scheduled for March 28 and April 15.
This incident is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Scantlin. In July 2024, he was involved in a standoff with a SWAT team in Burbank, California. The confrontation began when officers pulled him over for a traffic violation and discovered an outstanding warrant for possession of a weapon at an airport. Scantlin refused to exit his vehicle, leading to a two-hour standoff that ended with the deployment of non-lethal munitions to apprehend him. citeturn0search10
Earlier, in February 2023, Scantlin was arrested for misdemeanor trespassing after showing up uninvited at a property he had lost to foreclosure years prior. He allegedly refused to leave and threatened the current homeowner’s maid, resulting in his arrest.
Scantlin’s legal issues date back over two decades. In 2002, he and his then-fiancée, actress Michelle Rubin, were arrested for alleged domestic violence after witnesses reported seeing them fighting on the side of a highway. In 2012, he faced charges for cocaine possession and driving under the influence in Culver City, California. That same year, he was arrested for public intoxication after causing a disturbance on a flight, leading to an emergency landing.
In 2013, Scantlin was arrested twice: once for domestic violence involving his ex-wife and later for vandalism after using a buzzsaw to destroy property on his neighbor’s patio. His erratic behavior continued in 2015 with multiple arrests for driving under the influence, including a high-speed chase in Minnesota and another DUI incident in South Dakota.
The year 2016 saw further incidents, including an arrest for vandalizing a foreclosed property he previously owned and a bizarre episode where he rigged a fake bomb to his car to deter thieves, prompting a bomb squad response and the evacuation of surrounding buildings.
In September 2017, Scantlin was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after attempting to board a plane with a BB gun, resulting in a bail set at $850,000.
Despite these legal challenges, Puddle of Mudd has continued to produce music and tour. Their latest album, “Ubiquitous,” was released in September 2023. However, Scantlin’s ongoing legal issues and personal struggles have raised concerns among fans and the public about his well-being and the band’s future.