Jared Fogle first gained fame in 2000 as “the Subway Guy” after losing a significant amount of weight while eating Subway sandwiches. He became a spokesperson for Subway and frequently appeared in commercials touting the benefits of eating fresh and healthy food from Subway.
Fogle’s incredible weight loss story made him an inspirational figure. He authored an autobiography and continued appearing in Subway ads for over 15 years. During this time, he amassed a net worth of $15 million from his endorsement deals.
However, underneath this heartwarming public image, Fogle was hiding disturbing secrets that would later lead to his downfall.
The Criminal Investigation
In 2015, Fogle’s home was raided as part of a criminal investigation into his relationships with minors and possession of child pornography. The raid came after the Federal Bureau of Investigation received recordings of Fogle made by a former journalist discussing having sex with minors.
This launched a lengthy criminal investigation that uncovered years of heinous acts by Fogle against children.
Conviction on Child Pornography Charges
On August 19, 2015, Jared Fogle was formally charged by a federal grand jury with possessing and distributing child pornography and traveling across state lines for sex with minors.
Fogle initially pleaded not guilty but later sought a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid an even longer sentence if found guilty in court.
Details of the Charges
- Between 2010 and 2013, Fogle regularly received child pornography images and videos from his associate Russell Taylor. Some of the children in the videos were as young as 6 years old.
- Fogle knew the material was child pornography when he received and viewed it.
- He repeatedly traveled to engage in commercial sex acts with minors between 2010 and 2013.
In November 2015, under the plea deal, Fogle pled guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of traveling to engage in sex with a minor.
Fogle’s Statements and Sentencing
When pleading guilty, Fogle admitted that receiving child pornography and paying for sex with minors were “wrong and unlawful.” He apologized for the harm he caused, saying:
“I so regret that I let so many of you down.”
On November 19, 2015, Fogle was sentenced to 188 months (15.6 years) in federal prison for his crimes. Judge Tanya Walton Pratt also sentenced Fogle to a lifetime of supervised release after prison, required him to register as a sex offender, and pay $1.4 million in restitution to his 14 victims.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Pratt told Fogle:
“The level of perversion and lawlessness demonstrated by Mr. Fogle is extreme. . . The defendant has graphically demonstrated an allure for children as sex objects. . . I do believe he suffers from hypersexuality, mild pedophilia, and alcohol abuse disorders.”
Fogle was remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence immediately after the hearing.
Details of Fogle’s Criminal Activities
The criminal investigation uncovered that Fogle had been engaging in illicit activities with minors for years using his wealth and celebrity status.
Paying for Sex with Minors
- Fogle regularly paid for sex with minors while traveling across the country for Subway promotions and events.
- Some of the minors were as young as 14 years old when Fogle began paying them for sex.
- Fogle often found vulnerable young girls involved in the commercial sex industry and lured them into sexual acts by offering them large payments.
- The total number of minors that Fogle paid for sex may never be fully known. But prosecutors verified 8 victims who received restitution as part of Fogle’s sentencing.
Child Pornography Crimes
- Fogle knowingly received and viewed child pornography images and videos provided by his associate Russell Taylor between 2010 and 2013.
- The files depicted children as young as 6 years old being sexually abused and exploited.
- Fogle actively discussed his preferences for certain ages and types of children with Taylor to get new material.
Concealing Activities and Obstructing Investigation
- Fogle took steps to conceal his criminal acts against children over the years.
- He made efforts to obstruct law enforcement investigations by destroying files and other evidence.
- Fogle tried to get Taylor to deny sending him child pornography by offering him a bribe.
Timeline of Jared Fogle’s Crimes and Prosecution
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2015 | FBI completes search of Fogle’s home and seizes electronics. |
| August 2015 | Formal federal charges filed against Fogle for child pornography and sex with minors. |
| August 2015 | Fogle’s wife divorces him after charges made public. |
| August 2015 | Fogle pleads not guilty in initial court hearing. |
| August 2015 | Subway ends 15-year sponsorship deal with Fogle. |
| November 2015 | Fogle reaches plea deal and pleads guilty to all charges. |
| November 2015 | Fogle sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison. |
| November 2015 | Fogle begins serving his sentence at federal prison in Colorado. |
Conclusion
The shocking crimes committed by Jared Fogle represent a dramatic fall from grace for the once-admired Subway spokesperson. Instead of being a motivational figure, Fogle will now serve over 15 years in prison and live the rest of his life registered as a sex offender.
Fogle has expressed regret for letting down all the people who believed in his inspirational story. However, the harm he caused through his actions against vulnerable children remains immeasurable. This serves as a distressing tale of how predators can use power and secrecy to take advantage of others.
Jared Fogle’s legacy will now be defined by his vileness rather than his previous charade as a weight loss champion. Hopefully, Fogle’s case will bring awareness to protecting minors from exploitation and serve as a warning to possible offenders. While Subway has rebounded from its association with Fogle, the countless victims will feel the impact for the rest of their lives.
FAQs about Jared Fogle’s Sentencing and Conviction
How much prison time did Jared Fogle get?
Jared Fogle was sentenced to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in federal prison in November 2015 for child pornography and sex crimes involving minors. He received an even longer sentence than the 12-15 years recommended by prosecutors under his plea deal.
Where is Jared Fogle serving his sentence?
Fogle is serving his 15+ year sentence at FCI Englewood, a medium security federal prison in Littleton, Colorado. He began his sentence immediately after his November 2015 sentencing.
Will Jared Fogle get out early or have a reduced sentence?
It is unlikely that Fogle will get out before completing his full 15+ year prison term. There is currently no indication of him seeking an appeal or reduced sentence. He will have to serve at least 85% of the term under federal sentencing guidelines.
What were the charges against Jared Fogle?
Fogle was formally charged with distribution and receipt of child pornography across state lines, along with traveling to engage in sex acts with minors. He pleaded guilty to one count of each charge.
How much did Jared Fogle pay his victims?
As part of his sentencing, Fogle was order to pay a total of $1.4 million in restitution to 14 identified victims. Each victim received between $100,000 – $150,000, with the highest amounts going to those he paid for commercial sex acts while they were minors.