20 Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties

Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Matt Staff

The Roaring Twenties moved fast, with jazz in the air, secrets behind heavy doors, and nights that felt bigger than the rules. These mugshots pause that rush for a second and let the room go quiet.

Each face carries its own mood: a grin, a glare, a “don’t ask” shrug. Put together, these mugshots feel like the city catching its breath between the party and the headline.

1. Mr. Skukerman had an intense look

Two black-and-white mugshots of a man wearing round glasses, a suit, tie, and hat. The left image is a close-up of his face and upper body; the right image shows him standing full-length against a plain wall.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

2. The scar on Mr. Jones’s face gave him away

Two mugshot photos of a disheveled man with blue eyes, light hair, and a flat cap. Police record below lists his name as James Hargreaves Jones, born 1896, with a wound scar on the right side of his face.
gobberjiffy / via reddit.com

3. This man was charged with bank robbery

Black-and-white mugshot of a young man with neatly combed hair, wearing a vest over a white shirt. He faces the camera in one photo and is in profile in the other. A plaque with “14182” hangs on his chest.
thewaywewere / via reddit.com

4. This man was arrested in Australia for having two wives

A vintage mugshot of a man in a suit and tie, shown in three views: front, side profile, and full body standing against a height chart.
thewaywewere / via reddit.com

5. Apparently, Mr. Riley is happy to be in jail

Black and white photo; left: a man with dark hair and a jacket looks at the camera, writing above reads "Patrick Riley, 11.8.24"; right: same man stands in a doorway, wearing a long coat and wide-brimmed hat.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

6. The murderer Eugenia Falleni, also known as Harry Crawford

Black and white mugshot showing a person with short dark hair and a serious expression, photographed from the front and side. Handwritten details appear above the images, including "E. Falleni" and the date "21-10-20.
utterlyuniquephotos / via reddit.com

7. This little guy is too young to be in prison

Two young boys in early 20th-century clothing pose for a photograph. One sits on a bench looking serious, while the other stands behind a chair, wearing a cap and staring at the camera. The background is plain and worn.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

8. Crime boss, Tilly Devine

Black-and-white mugshot of a woman with short hair, wearing a dark scarf and jacket, looking slightly downcast. Handwritten text above her head displays her name, date, and identification numbers.
100yearsago / via reddit.com

9. Mr. Cahill had a peaceful way of facing detention

A sepia-toned, vintage mugshot shows a man in a suit and tie. One view is a close-up of his face with eyes closed, while the other shows him standing beside a chair in a sparse room, looking straight ahead.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

10. Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold, after murdering 14 14-year-old Bobby Franks

Two young men stand side by side in front of a plain, two-toned wall. The man on the left wears a dark suit and tie, while the man on the right wears a light shirt with a bow tie and belted trousers.
utterlyuniquephotos / via reddit.com

11. Don’t you dare to mess with Mrs. Smith

Black-and-white mugshot of an older woman with disheveled hair and a stern expression. Handwritten text above her head reads: "588.L.B. 3J (or 31) A. SMITH 15.8.23." Vertical bars are faintly visible in the background.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

12. George Remus, the successful lawyer who became “the King of the Bootleggers”

Black and white mugshot showing a middle-aged man with a bald head, wearing a suit and tie. One photo is a profile view, and the other is a front-facing view with the number 2736 displayed.
mafia / via reddit.com

13. That’s a lot of style for a photo, given the circumstances

Black-and-white mugshot of a man in a suit and tie, seen in two views: a close-up of his face on the left and a full-body shot with a hat, standing next to a stool, on the right. Handwritten text appears above him.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

14. Mrs. Dorothy Mort murdered her lover

Black-and-white mugshot of a woman with short dark hair, wearing a white blouse with a dark bow, shown facing forward and in profile against a plain background.
thewaywewere / via reddit.com

15. Nice hair, Mr. Murray

Black and white photo of a man in a striped sweater, shown in two poses: one close-up with arms crossed, and one standing in a cell. A second man, partly visible, appears by a barred door.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

16. Frankie Yale, American gangster and second employer of Al Capone

A split-screen image shows a man in a suit; the left side displays his profile, and the right side shows his face from the front. He has short dark hair, light eyes, and a serious expression.
mob-mad / via facebook.com

17. That’s what you call going down with glam

Vintage black-and-white photo showing a woman in a dress and pearls, posed beside a wooden chair. "Fay Watson. 24-3-28" is written above. One image shows her standing, another is a closer portrait.
historyanecdotes / via reddit.com

18. Mr. Evans is 1920s Steve Carell

A black and white vintage photograph of a man in a suit and tie, seated and looking slightly to the side. The text "265 W. J. EVANS 26521" appears above his head.
pics / via reddit.com

19. Mugshot or fashion shoot?

A man in a suit and hat sits on a stool with arms crossed, leaning back against a worn, textured wall. He gazes slightly to the side with a neutral expression. The name "H. Ellis" is written on the wall.
redscarepod / via reddit.com

20. Mrs. Osbourne is wondering when this would be over

A black-and-white portrait of a woman with braided hair, wearing a dark dress and a fur-collared scarf. She looks slightly to the side with a serious expression. Text above her reads “20. MRS OSBOURNE.”
redscarepod / via reddit.com

Explore more historical content:

Loved this dip into photo-archive grit? Keep the nostalgia going with these 20 Photos Of Depression-Era Gangsters, or these 20 Lesser-Known Tales About Criminals from the 1990s. You can also check these 15 Stories About Members of the 27 Club.