Jeremy Meeks became an Internet sensation last week after his mugshot went viral after it was posted on the Stockton, Calif., Police Department’s Facebook page.
But the 30-year-old convicted felon is a working man who is not affiliated with gangs, according to a woman identifying herself as his mother, Katherine Angier, who set up a GoFundMe page in an effort to help raise $25,000 needed to secure his $900,000 bail. So far, she has raised $3,697. He is being held at the San Joaquin County Jail.
“He has a job,” the woman writes at GoFundMe. “He was on his way to work [and] no gang affiliations as per two of the charges. He has old tattoos[,] which causes him to be [stereotyped]. He's my son and I'm just trying to raise funds to help him in anyway. Please help him to get a fair trial or else he'll be railroaded.”
His sister told TMZ that he carries guns to protect himself because of his past affiliations with gangs. She also said he’s been a practicing Christian for seven years. He was arrested Wednesday on five weapons charges and one gang charge, police say.