Jared Fogle became a household name as the face of Subway restaurants in television commercials starting in 2000. He was known for his incredible weight loss story, losing over 200 pounds while eating Subway sandwiches. However, in 2015, Fogle pleaded guilty to charges related to child pornography and traveling to pay for sex with minors. This shocked the public and ended his relationship with Subway. So where is Jared Fogle now?
Background on Jared Fogle
Jared Fogle was born in 1977 in Indiana. He struggled with obesity throughout his childhood, weighing 425 pounds when he graduated high school in 1995. As a freshman at Indiana University, Fogle decided to go on a diet plan where he ate only Subway sandwiches. By eating Subway for every meal, Fogle lost 245 pounds in less than a year.
After college, Fogle became a motivational speaker and appeared in Subway commercials talking about his weight loss. He became the face of the brand for over 15 years, doing over 300 commercials. Fogle met his wife, Katie, while working for Subway. They married in 2010 and had two children. To the public, Fogle seemed like an inspirational figure and role model.
Charges Against Jared Fogle
In 2015, Fogle’s home was raided by federal authorities as part of an investigation into Russell Taylor, the former director of Fogle’s charitable foundation. Investigators discovered over 400 videos of child pornography on Taylor’s computers and also found that Taylor had been secretly filming minors naked at his home.
This led to authorities looking closer at Fogle. They found text messages where Fogle expressed interest in underage girls to Taylor. Fogle also received child pornography images from Taylor. It was revealed that Fogle had traveled to pay for sex with underage girls across state lines.
In August 2015, Jared Fogle was arrested by the FBI on charges of possession of child pornography and traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
Jared Fogle’s Prison Sentence
In November 2015, Jared Fogle reached a plea deal with prosecutors just months after his arrest. He agreed to plead guilty to possession of child pornography and traveling for illicit sex with minors. As part of the plea deal, Fogle agreed to a prison sentence of between 5 and 12 years.
In November 2015, Fogle was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison. He was also required to register as a sex offender and pay $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims. Fogle formally entered the federal prison system in January 2016.
Currently, Jared Fogle is serving his sentence at FCI Englewood, a medium security federal prison in Littleton, Colorado. His earliest possible release date is July 11, 2029. At that time, Fogle will be 52 years old and will have served 13 years and 6 months of his prison sentence.
Fogle tried unsuccessfully to appeal his sentence in 2016. His appeal claimed ineffective counsel, saying his lawyer did not properly defend him. However, the court rejected this appeal, keeping his 15+ year sentence in place.
Life in Prison for Jared Fogle
Jared Fogle spends 23 hours a day isolated in a cell in the FCI Englewood prison. He is in the prison’s special housing unit for high-profile inmates or those who may be threatened by other prisoners.
For one hour a day, Fogle is allowed into the yard for recreation time. He also has occasional meals out of his cell. According to fellow prisoners, Fogle keeps to himself and doesn’t interact much with other inmates.
In 2017, Fogle was assaulted by another inmate named Steven Nigg. Nigg punched Fogle in the face several times, resulting in a bloody nose, swollen face, and scratches. Nigg was in prison on weapons charges. The assault was likely related to Fogle’s conviction for sex crimes involving minors. Prison authorities placed Nigg in special housing after the attack.
Jared Fogle has undergone drug counseling and sex offender treatment in prison. He has also completed an alcohol recovery program called RDAP. Fogle’s wife Katie divorced him in 2015 after his charges became public. She has since remarried.
Will Jared Fogle Get Out Early?
Currently, Jared Fogle is projected to remain in prison until his release date in 2029, when he will have served his complete 15 year sentence. However, could Fogle potentially get out of prison earlier than 2029?
There are a few possibilities, although unlikely:
- Parole: Federal prisoners can apply for parole after serving 1/3 of their sentence. Fogle will be eligible to apply in 2024 after 5 years served. However, parole is rarely granted to federal inmates, especially those convicted of sex crimes against minors.
- Program credits: Inmates can earn credits towards early release by participating in certain prison programs. However, only about 15% of Fogle’s sentence can be reduced this way. It’s unlikely program credits would lead to more than a year or two reduction.
- Compassionate release: Inmates with terminal illnesses or other extenuating circumstances may be granted compassionate early release by the courts. This seems improbable in Fogle’s case barring unforeseen health issues.
- Presidential pardon or commutation: The President has power to pardon federal inmates or commute their sentences. However, this is very rare and there is no indication it’s being considered for Fogle.
Barring one of the above, Jared Fogle is likely going to serve his full 15+ year sentence. Any early release, even by just a year or two, is unlikely given his high-profile case and the nature of his conviction. Unless Fogle’s health severely declines, he will remain incarcerated until at least July 2029.
Life After Prison for Jared Fogle
If Jared Fogle is released in July 2029 as scheduled, what will life look like for him after prison? Here are some possibilities:
- He will be required to register as a sex offender wherever he lives. This limits housing options and puts other restrictions on his freedoms.
- Employment may be very difficult given his high profile conviction. Few employers will want that association with their brand.
- Fogle has paid over $1 million in restitution already, but still owes a significant amount. He would have to pay off this debt.
- Security is a concern given Fogle’s notoriety. He may need special protections.
- Psychologists say a strong support system is crucial for rehabilitation after incarceration. But Fogle lost his wife and family after his conviction.
- Fogle will need continued therapy and counseling. Without proper supports, recidivism is high among sex offenders.
- A return to anything resembling his previous fame and success seems impossible. He’ll likely seek anonymity after prison.
The outlook for post-prison life is bleak for Jared Fogle. While rehabilitation and change are possible, his conviction will cast a long shadow over the remainder of his life. The all-American Subway spokesperson is now a convicted felon and registered sex offender with an uphill battle ahead.
Table Summary of Jared Fogle’s Case
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Born in Indiana | 1977 |
| Lost 245 pounds eating Subway | 1995-1996 |
| First Subway commercial | 2000 |
| Married Katie McLaughlin | 2010 |
| FBI raid on associate Russell Taylor | 2015 |
| Arrested on child pornography and sex charges | 2015 |
| Pleaded guilty to charges | 2015 |
| Sentenced to 15 years 8 months in prison | 2015 |
| Entered federal prison system | January 2016 |
| Earliest possible release date | July 2029 |
| Eligible to apply for parole | 2024 |
Conclusion
Jared Fogle was a famous face of Subway restaurants until his shocking criminal charges related to child pornography and sex with minors. In November 2015, Fogle was sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison. He is currently incarcerated at FCI Englewood in Colorado with a release date in July 2029.
Fogle spends his time isolated in a special housing unit for high-profile prisoners. He was assaulted by another inmate in 2016 but has largely avoided conflicts. While possibilities like parole or commutation exist, it’s unlikely Fogle will be released before 2029 unless health issues arise.
The outlook for life after prison will be difficult for Fogle with restrictions on housing and employment. But continued counseling provides hope Fogle could rehabilitate himself and build a stable, anonymous life out of the public eye. Barring unexpected events, Jared Fogle remains incarcerated for his crimes and will stay in prison until at least the late 2020s.