Sometimes, memes make us feel pretty old! No, we’re not talking about new memes where none of us can figure out what the Zoomers are saying, although that does get pretty exhausting. No, we’re talking about when we remember an old meme and suddenly realize just how old it really is…like, where did all the time go?
Some of the best examples of this are the viral memes related to Jeremy Meeks’ mugshot. Meeks was better known as the “Hot Felon,” and we were shocked to discover he was arrested back in 2014, over a decade ago! Naturally, that led us to a few questions, like how long was he in jail? What has life after prison been like, and did he ever settle down and start a family?
We’ve got all these answers and more. Want to catch up on the last decade of the world’s hottest prisoner’s life? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!
The mugshot that went viral
While his name is Jeremy Meeks, hardly anybody on the internet calls him that. Instead, they call him “Hot Felon,” a nickname that he earned because his mugshot was so sizzling. Most people in mugshots look sad or angry; Meeks, somehow, looked soulful, and the mugshot won the internet over.
The meme did that the old-fashioned way: by going viral! People couldn’t stop sharing Meeks’ mug, and most were astounded at how handsome he was. They were expecting a dirty scoundrel, but nobody was ready for a thief with a heart (and face!) of gold. Despite the mugshot going viral, though, most who shared it never learned what Meeks was arrested for.
What was Jason Meeks arrested for?
Jason Meeks’ entire life changed when he was arrested. It all began innocently enough, with Los Angeles police stopping his car. When they opened his trunk, though, they found quite a surprise: a semi-automatic handgun and two extended magazines!
This was a serious offense, and it led to some very serious punishment for Meeks. He was convicted of felony firearm possession, and he was subsequently sentenced to 27 months in prison. The sentence caused waves for the convict’s fans, as many adored the “Hot Felon” and thought that the punishment didn’t fit the crime.
The justice system apparently agreed. Either that, or a few people high up in the food chain were fans of Meeks’ viral fame. Either way, he was released early in March 2016, having served barely more than a year of his 27-month sentence.
How long was the Hot Felon in jail?
If you want to know how long the Hot Felon was in jail, you’re going to have to be more specific. Before getting busted for those firearms in his trunk, Jeremy Meeks was convicted of Grand Theft Auto. For this crime, he spent two years in prison, nearly twice as long as his firearm sentence.
After he got out of prison, Meeks was convicted of identity theft in 2005 and forgery in 2007. He served time for both convictions, though exactly how many months he served is unknown. And as previously mentioned, Meeks served one year and one month (out of a 27-month sentence) after being convicted for felony firearm possession.
Life after prison has treated him well
At this point, you might think that Jeremy Meeks’ life was completely ruined. Sure, he had his viral 15 minutes of fame, but that fame was a double-edged sword. The world now knew he was a repeat felon with some serious crimes on his record. Surely, that would land him in the poor house, right?
Wrong! The Hot Felon was already a model before his mugshot went viral, and he continued his career as a model after getting out of jail. He also starred in a number of movies, but he has found the most success as a fashion designer. Fashion Concept GmbH hired Meeks to design a clothing line, and they paid him the handsome sum of $15 million.
On top of all this, Meeks released an autobiography (Model Citizen: The Autobiography of Jeremy Meeks) in 2024. In it, he reveals more about his life than he ever has before. For those who fell in love with the Hot Felon for his cute photo, this book is a great way to learn more about your crush!
Things are lonely for the Hot Felon these days
Jeremy Meeks has been both lucky and unlucky in love. He was previously married to Melissa Meeks, and their marriage lasted from 2008 to 2018. That means she stood by him while he served time in prison, a faithful wife. Meeks wasn’t so faithful, as he was spotted kissing Topshop heiress Chloe Green.
This led to them separating in 2017 and divorcing in 2018. Meeks ultimately broke up with Green in 2019, and he has seemingly been single ever since. That makes life lonely, but he has two special boys to keep him company: Jeremy Jr. (his son from Melissa Meeks) and Jayden (his son from Chloe Green). He may be the Hot Felon, but it turns out the boys were the best thieves of all, stealing Meeks’ heart from the moment they were born.