Athens, GA – March 24, 2025 – Lily Stewart, the University of Georgia sophomore whose glamorous mugshot took the internet by storm earlier this month, is back in the headlines after a dramatic second arrest over the weekend. The 20-year-old Alpha Chi Omega sorority member, previously dubbed “Miss America” by adoring fans online, allegedly fled from police and hid during an encounter on Sunday, reportedly driven by nerves over her existing bond conditions from a prior speeding charge. The unfolding saga has captivated social media and sparked heated debates about privilege, accountability, and the viral power of a smile.
According to Athens-Clarke County police reports, Stewart was arrested just before 5:30 a.m. on March 23, facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer and loitering/prowling. The incident began when officers responded to suspicious activity at the university’s Tate Student Center, where Stewart and three other students—Payton Drewer, 20, Whitaker Tollmann, 19, and Seamus Gilmartin, 20—were allegedly found inside after hours. Security footage reportedly shows Stewart opening a locked door without a keycard, setting off the chain of events.
When police approached, the group scattered. While Drewer, Tollmann, and Gilmartin were quickly detained near the Tate Deck, Stewart made a run for it. Officers later found her crouching behind a wall near Gate 10 of Sanford Stadium, seemingly attempting to evade capture. Upon her arrest, Stewart admitted to fleeing, telling officers, “Truly that was actually my fault,” and explaining she bolted because she was “out on bond” from her earlier arrest and feared further trouble. She was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail, posted a $4,600 bond, and was released by 11 a.m. that day.
This latest brush with the law comes just weeks after Stewart’s March 8 arrest for speeding, when she was clocked driving 85 mph in a 55 mph zone on her way to a fraternity party. That incident birthed her now-iconic mugshot—featuring a wide smile, blowout hair, and pearl earrings—that racked up millions of views online. Fans flooded social media with comments like “Guilty of stealing my heart, your honor” and offers to pay her $440 bond, while critics questioned her carefree demeanor. Her attorney, Stephen Morris, successfully had the speeding charge dropped after arguing she’d been unfairly targeted by online trolls, though she still faces community service and a defensive driving course.
Sunday’s arrest paints a more chaotic picture. Sources close to the case suggest Stewart’s decision to flee may have been fueled by anxiety over violating her bond conditions from the first incident, which could have landed her in hotter water. “She knew she was on thin ice,” an anonymous friend told reporters. “The bond thing freaked her out, and she just panicked.” Neither UGA nor Stewart’s attorney has commented on the new charges, leaving the public to speculate about what drove the viral sensation to run.
Social media reactions are split. Some fans continue to stan, with one X user posting, “Lily Stewart out here living her main character arc—cops can’t catch her vibe.” Others are less forgiving: “Smiling in mugshots doesn’t make you untouchable. Time to grow up,” another wrote. The incident has also reignited debates about privilege, with detractors pointing to her quick bond postings and dropped charges as evidence of a cushy safety net.
Stewart’s meteoric rise to internet fame began with a single photo, but her repeat run-ins with the law are shifting the narrative. Once celebrated for her poise under pressure, she now faces scrutiny over her actions—and whether her charm can outrun the consequences. As the University of Georgia remains silent on potential disciplinary measures, all eyes are on Stewart to see if this is the end of her wild streak or just another chapter in her headline-grabbing story.
Stay tuned for updates as this case develops. For now, Lily Stewart’s latest mugshot—blue jail uniform, blonde curls, and, yes, another bright smile—is already making the rounds, proving her knack for staying in the spotlight, wanted or not.
