A 19-year-old father from New Zealand became a viral sensation after publicly pleading for someone to look past his criminal history and the bold face tattoo that’s been holding him back.
Mark Cropp, a teenager recently released from prison, made headlines after sharing a heartfelt post on social media, asking for a second chance at life—and a job. His story quickly gained traction online, and in just a few hours, Mark was overwhelmed with support, receiving more than 45 job offers.
The Tattoo That Changed Everything
Mark earned the nickname “DEVAST8” due to the emotional damage he says he caused to those around him. In prison, he and his brother decided to immortalize that nickname across his face using a homemade tattoo gun crafted from a cassette player and a pen spring. The ink was made by burning plastic utensils and mixing the soot with toothpaste and water.
What was supposed to be a small piece along the jawline turned into a massive tattoo stretching across his cheeks and chin—done while drinking homebrewed alcohol made from apples, sugar, and bread.