Charles Dion McDowell, better known as the “Wide Neck” guy who took over the internet with his viral mugshot, is back in the headlines—but not for the right reasons. According to TMZ, McDowell was arrested on February 19 and hit with multiple felony charges, including:
Transmission of nude images without consent
Sending obscene material to a minor
Making harassing phone calls
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia confirmed that McDowell is being held without bond. However, due to Georgia’s strict child abuse privacy laws, officials haven’t released additional details about the case.
Florida Man Who Went Viral Over Wide Neck In Mugshot Is Arrested Again On Stalking Charge
McDowell’s Viral Fame Turned Into Legal Trouble
McDowell first caught the public’s eye in 2018, when his mugshot blew up online, turning him into an overnight meme sensation. His unusually wide neck became the internet’s favorite joke, leading to a flood of memes, social media fame, and even a collaboration with “Long Neck” (David Samuelson Jr.) for a comedy skit.
But while the internet was laughing, the law wasn’t playing. McDowell’s first arrest involved reckless driving and attempting to evade police in Lee County, Alabama. From that moment on, his rap sheet only got longer.
A Long List of Legal Woes
Since going viral, McDowell has been arrested multiple times on a range of charges, including:
Drug possession – Authorities have charged him with possession of marijuana, cocaine, and meth.
Reckless driving – He’s been booked for trying to flee law enforcement.
Driving with a revoked license – Repeated offenses have kept him in and out of jail.
It seems like every time McDowell tried to clean up his act, he found himself back in handcuffs.
What’s Next for McDowell?
With his latest arrest, things are not looking good for McDowell. In Georgia, the transmission of explicit content to a minor carries severe legal consequences, including potential prison time.
Many fans who once laughed at his meme-worthy mugshot are now questioning whether McDowell will ever get his life together. Some believe he wasted his viral fame, while others argue that the internet hype didn’t change his reality.
Final Thoughts
Charles “Wide Neck” McDowell’s story serves as a reminder that going viral doesn’t erase real-life problems. While his face made him an internet celebrity, his legal troubles keep making headlines.
What do y’all think? Will McDowell finally get it together, or is this another case of fame gone wrong? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!