‘Handsome’ felon faces federal gun charge in new indictment

A Stockton man whose police mugshot went viral and earned him the nickname “handsome felon” faces a federal gun possession charge, according a new indictment.

Jeremy Meeks, 30, was charged Thursday with being a felon in possession of a semi-automatic Springfield Arms pistol, according to the U.S. District Court indictment.

He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years if convicted of the latest charge, said U.S. Attorney spokeswoman Lauren Horwood.

Meeks, who was convicted of grand theft in 2002, was charged last month in state court with violating his parole, illegally possessing a firearm and other gun- and gang-related crimes, prosecutors said.

The latest filing means charges pending against Meeks in state court will be dismissed and transferred to federal court, Horwood said.

Meeks remains in custody in a San Joaquin Valley jail, but will be transferred to a federal detention center.

The latest charge comes days after it was announced Meeks landed a Hollywood agent, Gina Rodriguez, who has represented “Teen Mom” star Farrah Abraham, Donald Sterling’s former companion V. Stiviano and “Octomom” Nadya Suleman.

Rodriguez told ABC News Meeks could earn from $3,000 to $100,000 a month as a model.

His arrest gained him unintended notoriety after the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on its Facebook page, immediately attracting worldwide attention for his chiseled cheekbones, puffy lips and piercing blue eyes.

Soon after, a fan page was created on Facebook and dozens of memes with his mugshot circulated on the web.

His mother later started a gofundme page to raised money for his legal defense.

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