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Ohio Man Mad at Mugshot Sends Cops a Selfie, Gets Arrested

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on January 13, 2016 | Last updated on January 31, 2023

Ever been tagged in a less-than-flattering Facebook photo? If so, you can imagine Donald A. "Chip" Pugh's pain when police posted the Ohio man's mugshot to social media: "They put a picture that made me look like I was a Thundercat or something." We feel you, Chip. And we probably would've done the same thing and sent the police department a better looking selfie.

On the Run From Johnny Law...

Mr. Pugh was wanted by the Lima Police Department on a failure to appear warrant and for questioning in several other incidents including arson and vandalism. And when Chip sent them an updated photo to replace his bad mugshot, they helpfully posted it to Facebook:
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This photo was sent to us by Mr. Pugh himself. We thank him for being helpful, but now we would appreciate it if he would come speak to us at the LPD about his charges. Posted by Lima Police Department on Wednesday, January 6, 2016
He also called into a local classic rock station to defend his actions. Appearing as their "Idiot of the Day," Pugh told hosts Phil Austin and Ryan Staley, "Man, they just did me wrong," saying he "looked like James Brown on the run." But Chip isn't on the run anymore -- he was picked up by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office some 800 miles away in Florida.

...Ain't No Trip to Lima

Unbeknownst to the authorities in Ohio, Chip also had some outstanding warrants in Columbus, Georgia. So the Lima PD will have to wait its turn before it can prosecute him. Chip might know his 80's cartoon references, but he's obviously not so good at avoiding law enforcement. And while may have been upset about the happy face he put on for his misdemeanor mugshot in Ohio, but he sure put on a smile for his Florida photo. Stay looking good out there, Chip.

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