By Maria Vultaggio
Managing Editor, Culture & Trends
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A Florida man received some internet fame after his mugshot went viral. Charles Dion McDowell was arrested in Escambia County on November 13 charges of eluding and fleeing police, possession of cocaine meth, and marijuana. He was also charged other drug counts. It wasn't his charges that got people talking. It was his larger-than-life neck.
The Escambia County Sheriff's Department took to Facebook to share the photo. "McDowell is currently a guest at the GoldStar Hotel with a bond of $57,000. #Gotcha," the sheriff's office wrote. The post sparked more than 20,000 reactions, over 31,000 shares and more than 123,000 comments.
People were inspired to make jokes at McDowell's cost. Bruce Longenecker had one of the most popular comments, writing, "This guy should have my last name." His response received more than 32,000 reactions.
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So what does McDowell have to say about his new internet stardom? He posted a video to YouTube to talk about his viral mugshot, saying he was happy to be free.
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McDowell isn't the first person to become famous because of his mugshot. Most people are probably familiar with "Prison Bae," also known as model Jeremy Meeks. In 2014, the former Crips member was arrested during a gang sweep called Operation Ceasefire in Stockton, California and convicted of federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and grand theft.
When his mugshot was posted to Facebook, it went viral, with thousands of people calling him "Prison Bae" and the "Hot Felon." When he was released Upon his release from Mendota Federal Correctional Institution in March 2016, he quickly started a modeling career with White Cross Management. He walked New York Fashion Week in February 2017, earning the title of "buff bad boy" by Vogue magazine. Most recently, he was featured in advertisements for FashionNova Men.
In his personal life, Meek started a relationship with TopShop heiress Chloe Green in June 2017. Green gave birth to their first son, Jayden Meeks-Green, on May 29, 2018. Meeks has another child with his ex-wife, Melissa Meeks, who he split from after his prison released and newfound stardom.
Meeks now has more than 1.7 million Instagram followers where he regularly promotes FashionNova Men. "I love the way you love me... @chloegreen5," he wrote in a September 25.
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