Move over selfies, bring on mug shots

Meeks, who hails from Northern California, was arrested on weapons and gang charges, according to the Huffington Post. To alert the public of his arrest, among that of others, his picture was uploaded on the Facebook page of Stockton Police Department, United States. Within a day, his photo received more than 23,000 likes and nearly 6000 comments, with most praising his good looks.

Most comments described the convicted felon as “gorgeous,” “dreamy,” and “incredibly handsome.” Females also gushed over the eye teardrop tattoo below his left eye. Some suggested a career in modelling for Meeks and, according to nbcbayarea.com, a Facebook fan page has already been made for him.


Spokesman for the Stockton Police Department, Officer Joseph Silva stated that no previous arrest photo garnered such positive attention since the department set up the Facebook page in March 2012.

Meeks, whose overnight viral sensation status has “flattered” him, has a lengthy rap sheet. Married and with a son, he has been arrested for crimes including resisting arrest, faking his identity and grand theft auto, according to the Daily Mail. However, he insists his gang days are behind him. “I appreciate [the attention], but I just want people to know that this is really not me. I’m not some kingpin,” he said.

But Meek’s wife, according to her friend Simone Johnson, is not happy with the attention her husband’s mug shot has gathered. “She’s furious,” Johnson said, reported latimes.com. “Her man is in there and people are taking it as a joke, thinking it’s funny… talking about his looks, saying all kinds of crazy things.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2014.