Where Is 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks Now? All About His Life 11 Years After His Mugshot Went Viral

Jeremy Meeks’ life has changed drastically since his mugshot went viral 11 years ago.

On June 18, 2014, he was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, per CBS News. The Stockton Police Department then posted a photo of Meeks’ mugshot, which immediately went viral. Buzzfeed even picked up the image and labeled the moment as a meme.

Meeks came to be known as “the hot felon” and awaited his trial and sentencing.

Prior to going viral, Meeks spent over 10 years in juvenile detention and prison for various crimes. He also grew up surrounded by drugs and violence. “Both of my parents were heroin addicts. I was a heroin baby … My childhood was very dark. My dad committed a murder when I was nine months old and killed my mum’s best friend,” he claimed on the What’s Your Water podcast in 2021.

In 2024, Meeks released an autobiography about his journey. Reflecting on his life after prison, he told BuzzFeed in 2020, “It’s been a wild, wild ride, but I’m so grateful. I’m not taking anything for granted.”

But what happened to Meeks after being labeled the “hot felon?” Here is everything to know about Jeremy Meeks’ life now.

Who Is Jeremy Meeks?

Jeremy Ray Meeks is a model, actor and internet personality who rose to fame in 2014 after his mugshot went viral.

In addition to appearing in films such as Trigger, Secret Society and True to the Game 2 and 3, Meeks has walked the runways for top fashion designers, including Philipp Plein, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

Why did Jeremy Meeks go viral?

Meeks is best known for his viral mugshot, which earned him the nickname “hot felon” in 2014. The BBC reported that the photo garnered more than 95,000 comments and 20,000 likes after being posted on the Stockton Police Department Facebook page.

The close-up picture, which showcased Meeks’ piercing blue eyes, endeared him to many despite his criminal past.

A spokesperson for the department told the Associated Press that the response to Meeks’ mugshot was unusual. “I have not seen that many likes for a photo before,” he said.

Meeks parlayed his newfound fame into a career, signing modeling contracts, booking films and inking book deals. “While I was still incarcerated, I received, I believe 45 contracts,” he told BuzzFeed in 2020.

What did Jeremy Meeks go to jail for?

According to the Los Angeles Times, Meeks was arrested after police found a semi-automatic handgun and two extended magazines in the trunk of his car during a stop. He was charged with five firearm charges and gang membership, per NBC affiliate KCRA 3.

In February 2015, Meeks was convicted of felony firearm possession and was sentenced to 27 months in prison, according to KCRA3.

ABC reported that Meeks had been to prison several times before. In 2002, he was charged with grand theft. According to the outlet, he served two years in prison for the incident.

FOX40 reported that Meeks was convicted of charges of identity theft in 2005 and forgery in 2007, for which he also served time. According to the Los Angeles Times, Meeks also served two years in prison for grand theft auto.

How long was Jeremy Meeks in prison?

Meeks spent 13 months in jail after his 2014 arrest. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison on Feb. 5, 2015, per CBS, though the Los Angeles Times reported that Meeks was released early on March 8, 2016.

Meeks shared an Instagram post expressing gratitude for his freedom on March 9, writing, “I want to thank my family and everybody for all your love, support and prayers. I’m overwhelmed and grateful for what lies ahead. I’m ready.”

Where is Jeremy Meeks now?

Meeks was signed to White Cross Management company prior to reporting for prison. “I’m in a place where I will be able to provide for my family and really change my life,” he told ABC at the time.

After being released from prison, Meeks became a model, fashion designer and actor. “If anyone would’ve told me 10 years ago that I was gonna be traveling the world, walking [in] fashion shows, acting in movies? I don’t know what I would’ve done,” he said in a 2020 BuzzFeed video.

In 2019, WWD reported that Meeks had inked a $15 million deal with Fashion Concept GmbH to develop a clothing line. He debuted his luxury collection for the fall/winter 2020 season, per Frow.

He has since continued to design: Meeks launched his second collection for Canon Mitchell in January 2024, which the brand shared on their Instagram page.

The model has also starred in a handful of films. “I shot five movies in 10 months,” he told BuzzFeed, beginning with 2020’s Trigger.

His autobiography, Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks, was released in February 2024. “I’m in a place in my life where I am extremely vulnerable and want to tell my story, the whole story, and hope that people can connect to it and understand how I came to be in the place that I’m at in my life,” he told PEOPLE.

As Meeks told Forbes in 2017, he’s not stopping there, either. “I can’t limit myself to one thing,” he said. “I’m not a model. I do modeling, but also do acting and I’m about to start recording music.”

Is Jeremy Meeks married?

Meeks was previously married to Melissa Meeks. The pair officially divorced after nearly 10 years together in June 2018.

A year prior, Jeremy was spotted kissing Topshop heiress Chloe Green. That same month, the fashion mogul posted a now-deleted Instagram photo of herself with the internet star that seemingly confirmed their budding relationship. “Just the Beginning … We appreciate all the love and the hate,” she wrote at the time.

Jeremy reportedly filed for a separation from Melissa on July 13, 2017. Two days later, he and Green were photographed holding hands.

Melissa, who claimed she was not aware that Jeremy wanted to split up prior to photos of him and Green being published online, opened up about their subsequent split in October 2017. “He was an amazing husband, honestly … It was very, very heartbreaking for me,” she told This Morning,

Meeks told PEOPLE in April 2024 that he was single after ending his two-year-long relationship with Green in 2019. “I am single. I’m trying to focus on myself,” he said.

Does Jeremy Meeks have kids?

Meeks is the father of two boys. The actor first became a dad when he and Melissa welcomed their son Jeremy Jr.

Meeks welcomed a second son, Jayden, with Green on May 29, 2018. “We are pleased to announce the birth of our beautiful baby boy Jayden Meeks-Green,” the then-couple wrote in matching Instagram posts. Meeks also considers some of his former step-children members of his family.

In 2020, the model discussed his relationship with both Melissa and Green, telling Extra, “I have an incredible relationship with Chloe … And now I have a relationship with the mother of my oldest son.” He added, “We’re all co-parenting. They are incredible mothers.”