Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The Rise of Mugshot Extortion
- 1 The Rise of Mugshot Extortion
- 2 What Is Mugshot Extortion?
- 3 How Mugshot Sites Game the System
- 4 States That Outlaw Pay-for-Removal Models
- 5 How to Beat Mugshot Extortion: Your Step-by-Step Guide
- 6 Suppression Tactics That Work
- 7 Legal Tools Beyond SEO
- 8 Why SEO Suppression Is a Long-Term Solution
- 9 The Remove Arrest Difference
- 10 Common Questions About Mugshot Extortion
Public record laws allow the posting of arrest photos online. Mugshot websites take this to an extreme, publishing these photos and then charging hefty fees to remove them. This practice, often known as mugshot extortion, traps people in a cycle of shame and spending.
These “pay-to-delete” operations thrive on desperation. But with the right strategy, you can fight back—without opening your wallet to scammers.
What Is Mugshot Extortion?
Mugshot extortion is the act of posting someone’s arrest photo and charging money for its removal. Some sites will:
- Demand $300 to $1,000 for “removal services”
- Repost the same mugshot on mirror sites
- Partner with shady third-party “reputation companies”
In many states, this practice borders on illegal extortion. But until laws catch up, these sites continue exploiting arrest records for profit.
How Mugshot Sites Game the System
1. Scraping Public Records
They collect mugshots from county jail sites and booking logs using automated bots.
2. Indexing on Google
Pages are SEO-optimized to rank for personal name searches:
- Page title: John Doe Mugshot
- URL slug: /john-doe-arrest-jacksonville
- Image ALT tag: Mugshot of John Doe
3. Multiple Mirror Domains
To protect profits and skirt laws, they publish the same mugshots on cloned sites:
- bustedjacksonville.com
- arresteelookup.org
- mugshotsagain.net
If you remove from one, it pops up on another.
4. Charging to Remove
Then they charge fees that renew monthly or annually. If you stop paying, your mugshot reappears.
States That Outlaw Pay-for-Removal Models
Many states have cracked down on mugshot monetization. Here’s where the law stands:
| State | Legal Protections |
|---|---|
| California | Prohibits publishing mugshots without conviction |
| Georgia | Requires free removal if charges dropped |
| Texas | Makes it illegal to charge for mugshot takedowns |
| Utah | Mandates removal within 30 days after request |
| Oregon | Criminalizes mugshot site operations for profit |
Visit the NCSL expungement law database for details by state.
Knowing your state’s laws is the first line of defense against mugshot exploitation.
How to Beat Mugshot Extortion: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm Your Legal Standing
You have more power if:
- The case was dismissed
- Charges were never filed
- The record has been expunged or sealed
Request a certified court order or expungement decree from your county court. It is the key to legal takedown requests.
Step 2: Send a Takedown Notice to the Site
Use a formal removal request. Attach:
- Court documents
- Photo ID
- URL of the mugshot
Sample Template:
Subject: Mugshot Takedown Request
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Your Name]. I am requesting the immediate removal of my mugshot located at [URL] based on an expunged/dismissed record under [State] law.
Please find my ID and legal documentation attached.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]Step 3: Report the Site to Google
If the site refuses removal:
- Use the Google Content Removal Tool
- Choose “In Google search results and on a website”
- Submit screenshots and court documents
Google may de-index the page or image from search.
Step 4: Remove Cached Images
Even after removal, mugshots might remain in Google Images due to caching.
Use the Remove Outdated Content Tool
Provide:
- Image URL (.jpg or .png)
- Original page URL
- Explanation of removal
Suppression Tactics That Work
If removal fails, push the mugshot off page one.
Publish SEO-rich content:
- Full name in titles and URLs
- Blog posts: “[Your Name]’s Career Journey”
- LinkedIn profile and activity
- Google Business Profile (if you own a business)
Launch a Branded Website
Get a domain like yourname.com and create pages for:
- About Me
- News
- Press Mentions
- Personal blog
Google prefers fresh, high-authority content from reputable sources.
Use Multimedia SEO
- Upload videos to YouTube with your full name in the title and description
- Include headshots with proper ALT tags
- Submit press releases through EIN or PRWeb
Legal Tools Beyond SEO
File a DMCA Complaint
If your mugshot was taken from another site or is being reused unlawfully:
- File a DMCA takedown with the site host
- Use Whois Lookup to identify the domain owner
- Send a DMCA letter with your legal documentation
Contact Your State Attorney General
If your state outlaws mugshot monetization, file a complaint. In Georgia, for example, the AG enforces removal laws.
Send a Cease and Desist Letter
Having an attorney send a letter citing state law violations often gets faster results than self-represented requests.
Why SEO Suppression Is a Long-Term Solution
Unlike takedowns that can be reversed or reuploaded, SEO suppression ensures that your mugshot:
- Falls off page one
- Gets buried under trusted content
- Becomes invisible to employers or acquaintances
Suppression is especially important if you:
- Cannot get your record expunged
- Have multiple mugshots on different domains
- Need fast results without relying on law enforcement
The Remove Arrest Difference
Remove Arrest takes mugshot removal and suppression to the next level:
- No shady pay-to-delete tactics
- Legal-based takedowns with proper documentation
- Long-term SEO and content strategies
- Google de-indexing and monitoring
- Transparent pricing and real support
Schedule a free consultation to see how we can erase your arrest record from search engines and restore your name.
Common Questions About Mugshot Extortion
In some states, yes. In others, it may violate mugshot publication laws. Check your local regulations first.
Only if the content violates privacy, contains outdated legal information, or is removed from the host website.
Accuracy doesn’t mean permanence. If the case was dismissed, expunged, or you were never charged, you may still qualify for removal.
Yes, especially on mirror sites. That’s why suppression and monitoring are essential.
It varies by case. Some individuals manage it themselves. Others invest in professional help for faster results.
Don’t Pay for What You Can Remove or Suppress Legally
You don’t need to pay criminals to fix your reputation. With legal documents, Google tools, and strategic SEO, you can beat mugshot extortion permanently.
Partner with Remove Arrest and let us:
- Remove harmful content
- Monitor for reuploads
- Build a positive online presence that lasts
Get started today with a no-cost mugshot analysis.
MLA Citations:
“Your Right to Online Privacy.” American Bar Association, www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/criminal-justice/criminal-record-clearing/.
“Expungement and Sealing of Criminal Records Statutes.” National Conference of State Legislatures, www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/expungement-and-sealing-of-criminal-records-statutes.aspx.
“Remove Information from Google.” Google Support, support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061.
“Filing DMCA Notices.” Electronic Frontier Foundation, www.eff.org/issues/intellectual-property/guide-to-file-dmca.
“Public Records and Mugshot Laws.” Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, www.privacyrights.org.