Meeks shot to a dubious fame on Wednesday after police in California posted his mug shot on Facebook to publicise a series of arrests targeting shootings and robberies in Stockton (because crime is bad, let's try to remember that people).
Jeremy Meeks was arrested on felony weapons charges
News of his new status as jailbird pin-up has reached the father-of-one (and he’s married, sorry ladies), who spoke to a News10 ABC Net reporter from prison.
Meeks, arrested for felony weapons charges and described by Stockton police officer Joseph Silva as “one of the most violent criminals in the… area”, only agreed to be interviewed in order to insist he is no longer a gangster.
The 30-year-old, who served nine years in prison after being convicted of grand theft, also cast some light on the teardrop tattoo, telling the channel he’d done some things in the past he was “not proud of”, but that he’s now a changed man.
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According to a fundraising website set up by someone claiming to be Meeks's mother, this is him and his son...
Meanwhile, one woman claiming to be Meeks’s mother has set up a fundraising page with a goal of $25,000.
Along with several pictures of someone who certainly looks like Meeks, is the note: “Please help. My son was taken into custody on his way to work.
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And again...
“He is a working man with a son. He is being stereotyped due to old tattoos.”
The page has raised $308 so far, while Meeks bail has been set for $900,000. Hmmm.
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Katherine Angier claims to be Meeks's mother
17 Funniest Mugshots
Kelsey Smith (01 of17)
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Arrested for: Drink-driving. (credit:Volusia County SO / Rex Features)
Marsia Emanuel(02 of17)
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Arrested for: Beating up a bus driver. She was found later at home where she dropped her underpants in front of police. (credit:Polk County Sheriff's Department)
Gregory Liascos(03 of17)
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Arrested for: Breaking into the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. He was later found in, yes, a wooded area. (credit:Washington County Sheriff's Office / AP)
Randon Reid(04 of17)
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Arrested for: Flight. As in, fleeing from the authorities. Not actual flight (see Batman). (credit:Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)
James Brown(05 of17)
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Arrested for: Domestic violence.
Johnathan Washburn(06 of17)
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Arrested for: Hitting a man on the head with a skateboard after he took a picture of his bizarre triple-mohawk hairstyle. (credit:Austin Police Dept.)
Oneal Morris(07 of17)
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Arrested for: Posing as a doctor and filling a women's buttocks with cement, mineral oil and flat-tyre sealant. (credit:Miami Gardens Police Department)
Cory Smits(08 of17)
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Arrested for: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated. (credit:Manitowoc Sheriff's Dept. )
Nic Cage(09 of17)
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Arrested for: Domestic battery. (credit:Splash)
Albert Tejeda(10 of17)
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Arrested for: Fleeing during a traffic stop. He was easily found later due to, yes, the tattoos on his face. (credit:Pinal County Sheriff's Office)
Mug Shot: (11 of17)
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Arrested for: Smashing statues and furniture (because God told him to do it). (credit:Farmington Police Department )
Ranaldo Jack(12 of17)
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Patrick Francis Brooks(13 of17)
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Arrested for: Burglary, receiving stolen property, forgery and violating the terms of his parole for a previous conviction. His mugshot wasn't exactly repentant. (credit:Shasta County Sheriff's Office)
Kid Rock(14 of17)
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Arrested for: Being involved in a brawl in a waffle house. (credit:Getty Images)