Man's Mugshot Goes Viral
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's the most talked about mugshot in quite some time and the man pictured isn't even a celebrity.
As CBS 2's Alice Gainer reported, at first glace, the steely blue eyes of Jeremy Meeks grab your attention.
"Really nice eyes," said one person.
"Oh my God, he is hot," said another.
Throw in the pouty mouth and some of his other features also give people pause.
"Very distinct features and high cheekbones," said another person.
But upon closer inspection, "the tattoos," two women said.
"I'm not really into neck tattoos," said another woman.
"Yea he could be a great model but he still looks a little crazy," another pointed out.
If the photo looks a little more mugshot than modeling head shot, that's because it is.
The Stockton Police Department in California posted 30-year-old Meek's picture on their Facebook page as part of a ceasefire enforcement mission and gang roundup.
The posting -- meant to show good police work -- has garnered 20,000 Facebook comments and counting, all about Meeks' looks, with some dubbing him "hot convict."
"I just visited my wife and she said it blew up all over Facebook," said Meeks.
Speaking from jail, Meeks -- arrested on felony weapons charges -- explained he was pulled over and a pistol was found in his car.
The married father previously spent nine years in prison for grand theft and said he wants people to know that's not who he is anymore.
"I just want them to know that this is really not me, I'm not some kingpin," he said.
Meeks' mother set up a GoFundMe page, calling it "Free Jeremy," hoping to use his new found popularity to attract donations for his defense.
Several people have made small donations, hoping he'll use it for a second chance.
"People go to jail all the time and do great things, so you never no," one woman chimed in.
There are others, however, who argued that he's still a criminal.
"He looks like somebody you cannot trust. He look like he...he gives me the creeps, seriously," one person said.
So for now the only thing Meeks will be modeling is an orange jumpsuit.
Meeks was scheduled to be arraigned Friday.
Police said when they searched his car, they found an unregistered and loaded gun, along with more ammo and a small amount of what is believe to be marijuana.
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