Notorious Imposter Whose Life Inspired Award-Winning Movie Pleads Guilty

William Street, Jr., a famous impersonator known as “Chameleon” and “The Great Imposter,” who inspired an award-winning movie, pled guilty Thursday to charges of — identity theft.

Street admitted to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in front of U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain in Detroit and could face nearly three years in jail when sentenced Jan. 28.

Absent the plea, he was looking at a possibility of more than 20 years.

Prior to this most recent case, he had been sentenced to prison 11 times for 25 convictions.

He has impersonated, among other people, Detroit Tigers outfielder Willie Horton, Houston Oilers wide receiver Jerry LeVias and a University of Michigan wide receiver, according to the News.

When he was released most recently, he targeted a Green Beret named William Benn Stratton, The Detroit News reported.

Street read up on Stratton and then “stole his identity and obtained replacement diplomas and transcripts from West Point and Duke University,” the Associated Press reported.

Street used the identity to post a fake resume on careerbuilder.com and even gave a speech to a Duke alumni group posing as Stratton, The Free Press reported.

Authorities got suspicious of him while investigating bounced checks. The Detroit Free Press explains:

According to court documents, Street landed on the federal government’s radar because of two bad checks: one for $7,000 for a Rolex to an Ann Arbor jewelry store in 2013 and a $200 check to a dry cleaner. He gave both businesses fake addresses and phone numbers. Police were summoned. Arrest warrants were issued.

Patch couldn’t get in touch with Street’s attorney, Joseph Armone, before he left his office Friday, but he told the Detroit News he didn’t think Street would commit another crime after serving this sentence.

“No, I don’t think so,” Arnone said. “When you come this close to spending the rest of your life in prison, I think he realized that. He came real close.”

Street’s career dates back 46 years, according to an extensive profile on his life from the Detroit News this summer.

His life inspired the 1989 movie “Chameleon Street,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1990 Sundance Film Festival.