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Meeks, 30, was arrested last June in a gang crackdown in
Stockton, California, and pleaded guilty in November to one
count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to
U.S. Attorney spokeswoman Mary Wenger.
U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley in Sacramento sentenced Meeks on
Thursday to 27 months in prison and ordered him to participate
in a substance abuse treatment program in prison, said Wenger.
Meeks became an Internet sensation after the Stockton police
posted his mugshot on the department’s Facebook page, triggering
an avalanche of “likes” for his chiseled cheekbones, hint of
stubble and teardrop tattoo under one of his light blue eyes.
Last summer, Meeks' family hired Gina Rodriguez, a former porn
star turned talent manager, to explore modeling deals and
reality shows for him, CNN reported at the time. It was not
known if she was still working with him.
Rodriguez did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
In a jailhouse interview with Sacramento television station KXTV
last year, Meeks said he used to be a gang member but is not
anymore, and that he did not know about his Internet popularity
until a reporter told him.
"I appreciate that (popularity) but I just really want them to
know that this is really not me, I'm not some kingpin," Meeks
told KXTV.
His attorney, Lexi Negin, did not immediately return a call
seeking comment.
(Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Matthew Lewis)
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