Former felon Jeremy Meeks posts first post-prison photos after securing modeling contract

Jeremy Meeks, 32, first came to popular attention in June 2014 after a photo of his face went viral on the internet. People everywhere were talking about Meeks' good looks, citing his striking blue eyes and sharp jaw line.

That viral photo was his mugshot.

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Meeks, whose photo was posted on the Stockton Police Department's Facebook page was arrested during a gun sweep in Stockton, California, in June of 2014 on gun and gang-related charges. He was sentenced to a 27-month-long prison sentence, according to KOVR.

Just before going behind bars, Meeks, whose mugshot garnered more than 100,000 likes on Stockton PD's Facebook, signed a modeling contract with White Cross Management.

He was released from Mendota Federal Correctional Institution in March 2016 -- less than two years later.

"I want to thank my family and everybody for all your love, support and prayers," Meeks captioned a photo on Instagram on March 9 with Jim Jordan, a model scout with White Cross. "I'm overwhelmed and grateful for what lies ahead. I'm ready."

"We were bombarded by every news media outlet and production company out there," Jordan said about Meeks after his release from prison. The scout said the ex-con prepared for his modeling career by doing 500 sit-ups and 500 push-ups in his cell every day.

Cox Media Group