UGA student who gained internet notoriety was caught trespassing and fled from police

Lily Frances Stewart

By Joe Johnson

A 20-year-old University of Georgia student whose mugshot went viral and has been commented about nationwide, was arrested early Sunday morning after fleeing from police when caught trespassing at UGA’s Tate Student Center.

When asked why she ran, Lily Stewart reportedly told police, “I didn't want to get caught doing anything bad because I am out on bond right now."

The student was referring to having bailed out of jail in Morgan County on March 8, after having been arrested for excessively speeding when reportedly caught racing to a fraternity party.

According to her LinkedIn profile the sophomore from Saint Simons Island has attended UGA since 2023 and is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

The mugshot with her smiling countenance made its way into the public domain and became an internet sensation.

Stewart’s Morgan County Jail mugshot

“They done locked up Miss America,” one person commented online.

“They hate to see a baddie thrive,” another posted.

According to her LinkedIn profile Stewart has attended UGA since 2023 and is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

“Guilty of stealing my heart, your honor,” read a comment about the Morgan County mugshot, with another adding “In excess of speeding up my heart rate, your honor.”

The studen’s second arrest came after she pulled open a locked door at the Tate Student Center, setting off an alarm shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday.

Police said that Stewart and three companions entered the building and fled upon seeing police officers approaching.

When an officer saw the group exiting the building on Baxter Street and ordered them to stop, three of the trespassers complied but Stewart didn’t and was later found trying to hide behind a wall near a Sanford Stadium entrance.

While being explained the reason for being detained, she reportedly remarked, “Was it the trespassing? Truly that was actually my fault,” and then told about being out on bail from the previous arrest.

Stewart was charged with loitering/prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Her companions were identified as Payton Drewer, a 19-year-old UGA student, and 20-year-old-visitors to the school Whitaker Tollmann and Seamus Gilmartin.

All three showed signs of intoxication and had fake

IDs, according to police.

They were each charged with loitering/prowling, underage consumption of alcohol, and possession of fraudulent identification.

Payton Olivia Drewer

Seamus T. Gilmartin

Whitaker Tollmann