Ex-Subway Spokesman, Jared Fogle, Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison
The case against former Subway sandwich pitchman Jared Fogle took another bizarre turn today when during his sentencing hearing Fogle’s lawyers and doctors claimed that his famous diet was a contributing factor to his crimes.
Dr. John Bradford, who has worked with Fogle, claimed that Fogle’s previous over-eating led to a lack of impulse control that later manifested itself in newly developed “hyper-sexuality” and alcohol addiction.
The psychologist also claimed that Fogle only had a case of “mild pedophilia” and wasn’t attracted to prepubescent children, instead claiming that the defendant was mainly attracted to older teens despite evidence to the contrary.
Fogle’s attorney, Jeremy Margolis, attempted to encapsulate the defense’s argument into one statement claiming that his client “traded a horrible food addiction for a horrible sex addiction.”
The unorthodox strategy seemed to be a proverbial “Hail Mary” pass from Fogle’s defense, who were trying desperately to secure a sentence of five years for their client.
The gambit failed however, as Judge Tanya Wilson Pratt not only disregarded the defense’s request, but also blew past the 12 years sought by the prosecution, sentencing Fogle to just over 15 years in prison. The judge showed little sympathy to Fogle’s claims, flatly stating, “The defendant was obsessed with child pornography and sex with minors.”
Fogle became famous in the late 1990’s due to massive weight loss while on a diet consisting mainly of sandwiches from the Subway chain, eventually parlaying that fame into a longterm role as the franchise’s pitchman and head of a philanthropic organization that battled obesity in children.
However, Fogle’s public persona came crashing down earlier this year when he was charged with numerous offenses, including possession of child pornography and engaging in sexual relations with minors.
The charges led to Subway cutting all ties with Fogle, and his wife filing for divorce. He agreed to a plea deal in August.
