iStockphoto/Thinkstock(STOCKTON, Calif.) — The felon whose mug shot earned him scores of admirers has secured a Hollywood agent who is negotiating modeling contracts even though he is still in jail.
Jeremy Meeks was arrested as part of a sweep of gangs in Stockton, California, and faces a felony weapons charge.
His mug shot went viral after being posted by the police department’s Facebook page, and has now it has caught the attention of an agent.
Gina Rodriguez has signed Meeks, 30, as a client and he joins a roster of her other notorious celebrities.
Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham, Donald Sterling’s alleged former mistress V. Stiviano and ‘Octomom’ Nadya Suleman are among Rodriguez’s other clients.
“Jeremy has an amazing look and has received international attention which I feel can only help him flourish in the entertainment industry,” Rodriguez told ABC News.
Though they have not formally set up any contracts with modeling agencies or other prospective employers, Rodriguez has high hopes.
“Jeremy could make somewhere between $3,000 to $100,000 per month through endorsements and modeling. We are also speaking with several production companies about following Jeremy’s foray into the entertainment industry,” she said.
While Rodriguez said she is in talks with Jim Jordan, who owns modeling agency White Cross Management, company spokeswoman Mikaela Morton told ABC that, “It all depends on everything, but as of now we’re not representing him.”
Meeks is being held on 11 felony counts that include street gang membership and the possession of firearms, but Rodriguez does not believe that his criminal past will hinder his career prospects.
“I believe this can be a positive change for Jeremy and his family,” she said.
One clear step that is preventing any immediate action is the fact that Meeks remains behind bars on $1.1 million bail.
A woman claiming to be Meeks’ mother has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to pay for his release.
In the description, she insisted that he has no gang affiliations in spite of the charges filed against him.
“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 any way. Please help him to get a fair trial or else he’ll be railroaded,” his mother Katherine Angier wrote.
The crowdsourcing effort has quite a way to go: so far, they have raised just over $5,000.
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