14 DAY TRIAL // Jared Fogle, known for 15 years as Subway Jared after he managed to lose a lot of weight on the so-called “Subway Diet,” has formally been charged in the ongoing FBI investigation on child pornography. Rumors that he would come clean and strike a plea bargain have been making the rounds for hours, but it turns out that his involvement was more serious than anticipated.
Jared Fogle is facing a minimum of 5 years behind bars on charges of soliciting sex with minors and possession of incriminating material featuring minors. He and the former Fogle Foundation CEO Russell Taylor, on whose work computer the FBI found over 500 videos with minors in April this year, were actually in on the operation together, TMZ reports.
Fogle turns himself in, is being processed
Fogle’s story was the typical rags-to-riches, American dream come true inspirational one. He made headlines in 1999 after losing approximately 240 pounds (108.6 kg) by eating only Subway sandwiches, and in 2000 he became the official spokesperson.
He fit in just perfectly with Subway’s new message of providing healthier foods, and in the 15 years he represented them, they made a lot of money together. Fogle also started the Fogle Foundation, which wasn’t affiliated to Subway.
In April, Taylor was arrested, but Fogle denied having any knowledge of what he was doing at work, on his work computer. In July this year, the FBI raided Fogle’s house, taking several computers and other devices. At the time, no one knew his involvement in Taylor’s operation, and reports even said that the feds were just going through the paces and not following an actual lead with the raid.
Subway cut Fogle loose for the duration of the investigation, even though his attorney maintained his innocence.
In the following weeks, unconfirmed reports started to emerge online, saying that he wasn’t even half as innocent as he claimed. In fact, they said, he had more than once traveled to another city to engage in illegal relationships with minors.
Soliciting is now one of the charges brought against him. TMZ says that Fogle is now in custody and being processed, facing at least 5 years in jail and a restitution fine of $1.4 million (€1.26 million) to the victims. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
The horrible truth comes to light
In college, Fogle ran an illegal operation of porn rentals, which, according to reports, often included material of the kind discovered in the latest FBI investigation. This was a well-known fact, so Subway had to know that he wasn’t exactly squeaky clean when they hired him as their spokesperson / motivation speaker, voices in the blogosphere are saying.
Now, the ugly truth is coming to light. TMZ says that prosecutors have proof that, between 2012 and 2013, he took several trips out of town to meet and have relations with minors. These meetings were also arranged by minors, both male and female.
Moreover, the prosecutors can now tie Fogle and Taylor as working together on the operation, as Fogle had access to security cameras installed in his CEO’s house. Taylor would often send him footage and photos from these cameras, and they often featured minors as young as 6.