Former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle has been charged with child pornography and sex with minors, weeks after investigators raided his Zionsville home.
Hands crossed and remaining seated, Fogle briefly appeared before a judge Wednesday to be charged with possession of child pornography and traveling to New York City to have sex with underage girls. As he left the federal courthouse, a swarm of cameras and heckling onlookers were outside.
His attorney, Jeremy Margolis says Fogle will plead guilty.
“In so doing, he will fully and completely acknowledge his responsibility for his wrongdoing and his acts and his conduct,” Margolis says.
Federal prosecutors say their case goes back to 2007, when Fogle began soliticing underage sex. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven DeBrota says Fogle, 37, used his wealth and travels to have sex with underage girls in fancy New York City hotels.
“He’s taking advantage of that, being away from where he lives, in order to further that activity,” DeBrota says.
Then in 2011, the former director of Fogle’s foundation, Russell Taylor, shared secretly made child pornography videos with Fogle.
Fogle status as a sandwich chain celebrity began to unravel when federal prosecutors raided his home in July. Subway quickly ended its relationship with Fogle. He gained fame for losing 200 pounds in college thanks in part to a Subway sandwich diet. He earned millions from advertisements and speaking engagements.
Fogle is now on home detention. He faces at least five years in prison. Fogle has agreed to pay restitution to each of the 14 minors involved. Fogle’s wife has also filed for divorce.
