'Hot felon' Jeremy Meeks of viral mug shot fame is back, and ready to turn his life around
His mug shot went viral following an arrest on weapons charges, and now Jeremy "The Hot Felon" Meeks is hoping to parlay his fame into a new career.
In February 2015, Meeks, 32, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for a weapons violation, and he was released Tuesday after serving about half the time. When the Stockton, California, police department arrested him in June 2014, they posted his mug shot on Facebook, and it was liked, shared, and commented on by thousands of people who were able to look past his then-alleged misdeeds, focusing instead on his blue eyes and high cheekbones. They called him the "hot thug" and "handsome felon," and offered to have his "convict babies" (for the record, he's happily married and already has three children).
While he was incarcerated, several Facebook groups and fundraising efforts were started for Meeks, the Los Angeles Times reports, and he fielded modeling offers and even posted photos to his official and verified Instagram page. He already has a manager, Jim Jordan, who released a statement saying Meeks has a "multitude of offers on the table," and is "humbled and grateful and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers for him and his family." Before he embarks on his new, yet-to-be-determined career, Meeks has to spend a few weeks in a transitional housing facility, and then, Jordan says, he's "completely free to start his new journey."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published