An Impersonator With A Potentially Deadly Act

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This photo shows the impersonator posing as the lead guitarist of the band Puddle of Mudd.

In a college town in southern Illinois, an unidentified man is pretending to be lead guitarist Paul Phillips from the band Puddle of Mudd. He parties all night with some of the people he meets, but he has been more sinister with others.  They say the impersonator asks young women if they want an autograph. Then, he attacks.

The only photo police have of the impersonator was submitted by a woman who met the suspect in a bar in Illinois. She says the man tried to impress her with his supposed connection to the band Puddle of Mudd. But the woman claims she was skeptical of his story. When she asked the impersonator if she could take his picture he agreed...only if he could wear his sunglasses.

The woman says when she heard on the news about this dangerous criminal on the loose she knew she had to come forward with the evidence. Police say they are thankful she did.

Scared For Their Lives

On June 7, 2006 police say a man with a beard and sunglasses approached a young woman in Carbondale, Illinois at about 1:45 a.m. just outside a nursing home. They say the man approached her from behind and placed his hand over her mouth to keep her from yelling.

The young woman says the man told her something completely unexpected.  He claimed he was the lead guitarist from the popular rock band Puddle of Mudd. Then she says he put a hard metal object to her throat. Fortunately, a coworker inside the nursing home saw what was happening and yelled at the attacker to stop. Police say the screams scared the attacker and he ran off.

Police say his next victim was not so lucky. 

Later that morning, a 20-year-old girl at a gas station near Ullin, may have met the same man.  At about 9:50 a.m. a man with a beard and sunglasses told her he was the lead guitarist for Puddle of Mudd.  She says he then asked her if she wanted an autograph and pointed to her chest. She says after turning down his offer, the man got upset.  Police say the impersonator told her he had a gun and ordered her to drive.

The young woman was scared for her life... but she started driving anyway. She says she was looking for an opportunity to jump out of the car when she saw a car dealership with people standing outside. Knowing there would be witnesses, she took her chance  jumping out of the car and running toward them.  The attacker ran as well. The girl could only imagine what would have happened if she hadn't escaped.

The Real Paul Phillips Speaks Out

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Paul Phillips gave our correspondent, Michelle Sigona, a special live performance.

After hearing the story from police, America's Most Wanted was curious to find out what the "real" Paul Phillips had to say about the attacks. Our correspondent, Michelle Sigona, met with Paul at Turnaround Entertainment in Jacksonville Florida on July 28, 2006.

Paul told Michelle that he was horrified that anyone would use his name to get close enough to young women to attack them.  He is sorry anyone believed the suspect's story, but more importantly, he is concerned that someone could have gotten hurt or worse.

Paul said, "I'm in the music industry so I've seen some crazy things. I've done some crazy things, you know, had a good time, had a lot of weird experiences, but nothing like somebody impersonating me."

Introducing The "Real" Paul Phillips

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Michelle Sigona is shown here with the "real" Paul Phillips, Turnaround Entertainment owner Steven, and Paul's lawyer Mike Yohan.

Paul Phillips began playing as lead guitarist for Puddle of Mudd back in the mid-1990s. Their most successful album, "Come Clean," had four major hits and sold over five million albums. Fans across the country know them best for their songs like "Blurry" and "She Hates Me."

Paul recently left Puddle of Mudd and is now in a band called Operator. His new CD is scheduled to come out early next year.

Police say the Paul Phillips impersonator is a smooth talker and has convinced many people that he is part of the band. They believe the suspect may have traveled out of the state and could be pulling his criminal scam on others.

AMW Capture #906

Fugitive Found In A Mental Hospital

On September 18, 2006, AMW tipsters helped take down a menacing fugitive posing as the lead guitarist of the band Puddle of Mudd. After the story aired on the show, dozens of tips came in with reported sightings of the alleged imposter in regions like Tennessee, Texas, and Kentucky. All of the tips pointed to one character named Martin Minter. 

Investigators knew coming into this case that they were dealing with a fugitive who was extremely unstable...But little did they know how true this statement really was. When they went to arrest him on Monday police found out Minter was staying at a mental hospital. Police say Minter was supposed to check out that same day but luckily they got to him just hours before he ran away.

Police have charged Minter with kidnapping, unlawful restraint, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault. The investigation of Minter has also uncovered additonal charges outside of Carbondale, Illinois. 

Police say Minter is also a convicted sex offender in the state of Kentucky. They believe Minter failed to register in Tennessee and Texas and may be charged soon with the crime.

The trial for Minter will be held in the following months. Fortunately for the victims, Minter's numerous charges should have him locked up for a long time.