EVERETT — A would-be rock star with expensive tastes was sentenced Tuesday to more than six years in prison for crimes that financed some of his luxuries using other people’s identities and property.
At one time, Lynnwood police put Scott Christopher Moughton, 43, on its “most wanted” list when he dropped out of sight after buying a $71,000 Lexus car using somebody else’s credit.
Moughton’s lawyer on Tuesday asked a Snohomish County Superior Court Judge to give Moughton a break by cutting down his time in prison and letting him undergo drug treatment under a special sentencing alternative.
Judge James Allendoerfer rejected the request. He gave Moughton more time behind bars than deputy prosecutor John Juhl sought on 10 felony convictions, only one of which was a drug charge.
“He needs to be accountable to the nine victims” of his stealing, forgeries and identity theft, Allendoerfer said.
Moughton sometimes went by the moniker “Rock Star Scott” or “Rock Star Scottie” after claiming to be a former member of the Bellevue-based rock band Queensryche. Band officials said that Moughton played guitar on lead singer Geoff Tate’s solo album in 2002, but has never been a band member.
Illegally purchasing the Lexus with stolen identification was “just pure ego” that fueled his self-image of being a rock star, Allendoerfer said.
Juhl asked for more than five years behind bars for Moughton, while defense lawyer Harvey Chamberlin of Everett said the best thing for Moughton and society would be the special sentencing alternative and intense drug treatment during his prison time and afterwards.
“I ask you to give Mr. Moughton a very last chance,” Chamberlin said.
Two of Moughton’s daughters also asked the judge for the special deal for their dad, but Moughton’s ex-wife told Allendoerfer that the defendant victimized others to satisfy his “rock star lifestyle.”
Allendoerfer noted that Moughton twice before went into drug treatment programs and then fell off the wagon.
Moughton has been on the radar screen of local and federal law agencies for years.
He was indicted on federal charges more than three years ago in connection with a major identity theft ring.
At that time, police found bags of stolen mail, passports, driver’s licenses and equipment to make identification cards in Moughton’s Bothell apartment.
The federal charges against Moughton were dropped after evidence was thrown out because of a problem with the search warrant.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or jhaley@heraldnet.com.
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