Criminally attractive? US prisoner's mugshot goes viral

When a small Los Angeles police department posted a rogues' gallery of its latest arrestees on Facebook, it probably didn't expect to attract thousands of visitors enamoured by the good looks of one of the convicted felons.

Since Stockton Police Department in California included Jeremy Meeks in its round-up of arrests for gun possession, the 30-year-old's mugshot has attracted 59,620 likes, has been shared almost 7,000 times and has been commented on by more than 17,000 people.

Many of the commentators are female and most of the comments are about Meeks' "model" good looks.

"He can kidnap me anyday... Hold me against my will lol," Jessica Gutierrez wrote.

"Why is he breaking the law when he should be making millions modeling! Wowzas," Tanya H. Thomas added.

Internet memes have even emerged, showing the felon's face - tattooes airbrushed out - as he could look as a Calvin Klein model:

However, not everyone was won over by Meeks and berated the women for giving him attention.

"$900,000 in bail and 6 felonies. You ladies are desperate," Amber Gomes wrote.

Meeks told local television station KXTV: "I appreciate the attention but I just want them to know that this is really not like me, I'm not some kingpin. They found a pistol in my trunk."

His mother has now started a fund, "Free Jeremy" in a bid to raise $25,000 to pay legal fees for her son, who she maintains is innocent and has been "stereotyped" because of old tattooes.

Katherine Angier, who posted images of Meeks with his young son, wrote: "Please help. My son was taken into custody on his way to work. He is a working man with a son. He is being stereotyped due to old tatoos [sic]."

She added: "He has a job and ... He was on his way to work. With no gang affiliations as per two of the charges. He has old tattoos..which causes him to be sterotyped. He's my son and he is so sweet. Please help him to get a fair trial or else he'll be railroaded."

Stockton Police said that it wanted to remind everyone that Meeks is a convicted felon who spent nine years in prison for grand theft.

And some of his admirers may also be disappointed to learn that Meeks is married.

"I just got visited by my wife and she said I blew up all over Facebook," he said.