March 10--A convicted felon whose handsome booking photo went viral was released from federal prison this week, and he is now entertaining job offers.
Jeremy Meeks was sentenced in February 2015 to two years in federal prison for a weapons violation. After serving more than a year at a facility near Stockton, Meeks is free -- well sort of.
"I want to thank my family and everybody for all your love, support and prayers," he wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. "I'm overwhelmed and grateful for what lies ahead. I'm ready."
After Meeks was greeted by his wife and three children Tuesday morning, he went to a transitional housing facility where he will remain for a few weeks before he is "completely free to start his new journey," his manager, Jim Jordan, said.
"We have a lot in store regarding Jeremy's new career," Jordan said in a statement Wednesday. "There are a multitude of offers on the table. Jeremy is humbled and grateful and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, and prayers for him and his family."
Meeks' piercing blue eyes and chiseled cheekbones earned him several nicknames, including "hot felon," "hot convict" and "handsome felon," after the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on Facebook.
He was arrested in June 2014 after he was stopped by police, who then found a semiautomatic handgun and two extended magazines for the weapon. Authorities accused Meeks of being a member of the Northside Gangster Crips.
Meeks was previously convicted of grand theft auto in Solano County and served two years in state prison. He told reporters last year that he had earned the teardrop tattoo on his cheekbone for "doing some things in his past he is not proud of."
After his mugshot sent the Internet into a frenzy, the 32-year-old received modeling offers. Fundraising efforts and Facebook groups were created for Meeks.
Even while locked up, Meeks did not shy away from social media.
He posted photographs on Instagram, and kept his fans in the loop as to when he would be released from prison.
In the days leading up to his release, Meeks wrote, "Looking forward to reuniting with my family. Counting down the days. #6days #spreadtheword."
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