Jared Fogle: First Alleged Victim In Sex Scandal Speaks Out As Prosecutors Seek Maximum 12.5-Year Prison Sentence
Jared Fogle is still at the center of controversy as details about his disturbing sex scandal continue to unfold. According to WJAX-TV, the former Subway spokesman’s first alleged victim has come forward with details about her horrific encounter with Fogle and his business partner and former executive director of the Jared Foundation, Russell Taylor. It has been reported that Taylor orchestrated and filmed the encounters with the victims while Fogle viewed and collected the pornographic material Taylor produced.
During an interview with Dr. Phil, the victim — only identified as Analissa — revealed that she began interacting with Taylor when she was 14. Initially, their interactions seemed innocuous, but after some time, the now 16-year-old victim discovered Taylor had been secretly filming her.
“He seemed okay at first,” she said. “He seemed like a nice person, but as time progressed, it kind of got creepier and creepier.”
Taylor reportedly sent numerous graphic photos and videos to Jared Fogle. Although the victim admitted she’d never had sex with Taylor, she now believes she was being groomed for what could have eventually happened if Fogle and Taylor hadn’t been stopped. When Dr. Phil asked her to give an example of her definition of “creepy,” she admitted to feeling uncomfortable around Taylor, despite him seemingly nice demeanor. She revealed most of her encounters with Taylor were at his home.
Despite her young age, they would drink excessive amounts of liquor. Although the victim remembers drinking with Taylor, she expressed difficulty remembering what would occur after consuming immoderate levels of alcohol. It has been reported that the victim had been secretly videotaped nude while changing clothes and taking showers in Taylor’s home.
THURSDAY: The first victim to come forward in the #JaredFogle scandal speaks out: https://t.co/Q7gxv7DUVP pic.twitter.com/QJnmRTB4ri
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) November 7, 2015
She also recounted a number of times when he’d walk into the room while she was nude, all while secretly videotaping her. Taylor has also been accused of spewing sexual innuendos and asking inappropriate questions, all of which the victim now sees as his form of sexual grooming.
“He was telling me that at 16 it was legal to have sex with anybody, at any age,” she said. “And he had me convinced to do that.”
After viewing a previous segment of The Dr. Phil Show, which highlighted Jared Fogle’s sex scandal, the victim felt compelled to come forward and share her story with the world. The most recent report comes shortly after prosecutors announced their intent to seek a maximum sentence of 12.5 years behind bars.
According to TMZ, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indiana has filed a sentencing memorandum requesting that Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentence Jared Fogle to the maximum of 12.5 years behind bars, despite his request for leniency. The memorandum also requested that Fogle be placed on supervised probation for the rest of his life.
By now, everyone is well aware of the plea deal Fogle secured, which sparked outrage nationwide. The details of the plea deal agreement stated that Fogle would spend a minimum of five years behind bars and pay a restitution penalty of $1.4 million, with $100,000 being paid to each victim.
A court filing reveals new details in the Jared Fogle case: https://t.co/H7HSeMVpDU pic.twitter.com/dGGXohs2sV
— IndyStar (@indystar) November 12, 2015
However, prosecutors argue the minimum sentence doesn’t suffice for the heinous child pornography crimes both Fogle and Taylor are being convicted for. It has been reported that the two had an enormous amount of child pornography photos and videos in their possession — a staggering 5.6 terabytes to be more specific.
“In all around 5.6 terabytes of data was recovered including, several smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras flash drivers, CDs and DVDs. On the devices they went over 159,634 text messages, 27,140 emails, not including Taylor’s account, 47,623 images and 3,394 videos.”
According to NBC News, prosecutors are seeking the maximum sentence in an effort to make an example out of Fogle and deter other offenders from committing similar crimes.
“These sentences matter,” prosecutors said. “In many ways, the results of these cases help to deter and teach by example. There is no avoiding the point that, whatever the result in this matter, it will be closely watched by current and potential offenders who have not yet been identified.”
Back in August, Jared Fogle pleaded guilty to counts of travelling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and distribution and receipt of child pornography as part of the plea deal. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 19.
Do you think 12.5 years behind bars is a substantial prison sentence for the crimes Jared Fogle committed and the exploitation and abuse his victims suffered? Share your thoughts.
[Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images]
