University of Georgia Sorority Student, Dubbed "Miss America" After Viral Mugshot, Arrested Again
Athens, Georgia – Lily Stewart, a 20-year-old University of Georgia (UGA) student and member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, has found herself in legal trouble once again, marking her second arrest in a matter of weeks. The sophomore, who gained notoriety earlier this month when her smiling mugshot went viral, has now been charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer and loitering/prowling.
Stewart’s initial brush with the law occurred earlier in March when she was apprehended for excessive speeding. According to official Athens-Clarke County records, her latest arrest took place on Sunday, March 23, adding another layer to the unfolding saga that has captured the attention of social media users and news outlets alike.
Following her arrest, Stewart was processed and subsequently released from police custody after posting a $4,600 bond. The details surrounding the circumstances of her latest arrest remain somewhat unclear, as Fox News Digital’s request for information from UGA has yet to elicit a response.
Stephen Morris, an attorney representing Stewart, has declined to comment on the recent arrest, leaving many to speculate about the events leading up to the incident.
Stewart’s initial rise to internet fame stemmed from a traffic stop on March 8. According to a Georgia State Police report previously shared with Fox News Digital, Stewart was pulled over not once, but twice, in quick succession for exceeding the posted speed limits.
The report indicates that an officer initially stopped Stewart for driving 79 mph in a 55 mph zone. After issuing a citation, the officer observed Stewart continuing at an excessive speed. Approximately two minutes later, she was pulled over again while driving her 2021 Volvo XC40, this time clocking in at 84 mph in the same 55 mph zone.
In a previous interview with PEOPLE magazine, Stewart revealed that she was en route to a party hosted by a fraternity at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, when the incidents occurred.
However, it was not the speeding violations themselves that propelled Stewart into the spotlight, but rather her seemingly unbothered and smiling mugshot. The image quickly spread across various social media platforms, earning her the tongue-in-cheek nickname "Miss America."
The viral nature of the mugshot prompted Stewart to address the situation on TikTok, where she shared a compilation of some of the most outlandish and supportive comments she had received.
"The only crime here is stealing my heart," one user wrote.
"idc what she did, she’s innocent," another declared.
"I don’t know what she did but free her," a third commenter chimed in.
Some individuals even went as far as offering to contribute to her bail, demonstrating the unexpected wave of support Stewart garnered from strangers online.
Stewart told the outlet that she has gained thousands of new social media followers from her viral mugshot. I look like a basic white girl, and I am, Stewart said, adding, I think its hilarious. One of them was like, We know she has a monogram rain jacket — which I do. There are some beautiful mug shots. I dont think mines particularly stunning, Stewart explained. I actually think its a bad photo of me. If you see me in person, I dont really look the same as I do in that mug shot. I dont think its a great photo of me.
Stewart acknowledged the unexpected attention, stating, "I look like a basic white girl, and I am. I think it’s hilarious." She further commented on the online observations about her appearance, noting, "One of them was like, ‘We know she has a monogram rain jacket’ – which I do."
While acknowledging the existence of "beautiful mug shots," Stewart expressed her own reservations about the image that made her famous. "I don’t think mine’s particularly stunning," she said. "I actually think it’s a bad photo of me. If you see me in person, I don’t really look the same as I do in that mug shot. I don’t think it’s a great photo of me."
Following her initial arrest and subsequent viral fame, Stewart spoke with TMZ, describing her experience of being booked into jail as "the craziest experience she had ever seen."
"I paid my bond, got my mugshot, and another officer drove me to the tow yard where they took my car," she recounted. "It was definitely an experience and [I’ve] never experienced anything like that, hopefully never again."
Now, with a second arrest under her belt, Stewart faces a new set of challenges. The charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer and loitering/prowling carry potentially serious consequences, and the legal proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched by both her supporters and detractors.
The incident has also sparked broader discussions about the nature of viral fame, the power of social media, and the complexities of navigating the justice system as a young person under intense public scrutiny.
As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how these recent events will impact Stewart’s future, both on a personal and professional level. For now, the "Miss America" of viral mugshots finds herself once again at the center of a story that continues to capture the attention of the nation.
