Jared Fogle could reportedly get anywhere from five to twelve years in prison for distributing child pornography and engaging in sex with underage girls, but two men who were convicted of possessing child porn say they believe that sentence is a “slap in the face” to the victims.
In a plea deal, Fogle’s attorneys asked for no less than five years but no more than twelve and a half in exchange for pleading guilty to one count of distributing child pornography and one count of traveling across state lines for sex with two underage girls.
“Given the facts of the case and the severity of what he did, we believe the sentencing range is appropriate,” Tim Horty of the U.S. Attorney’s Office told People Magazine.
However, not everyone agrees, including some who have already been convicted of similar crimes. Thomas Ford is currently serving 198 months for one count of distributing child pornography and wrote to a judge presiding over Jared Fogle’s case to recommend a much longer sentence.
“Just the fact that he has 14 VICTIMS is enough to consider a sentence far and away more appropriate,” Ford wrote. Another convicted offender, Scott Petrie, agrees and says he and others who are incarcerated for similar or lesser offenses were given 30 years or more in prison.
The disgraced Subway spokesman may get supervised visits with his children as part of the plea bargain if his wife–who filed for divorce earlier this year–agrees, and he will be required to attend counseling as well.
“Jared also knows that he has a medical problem. He has already sought evaluation by a world class psychiatrist, experienced in these matters and he wills seek appropriate treatment. Fogle knows that restitution can’t undo the damage that he’s done,” said defense attorney Jeremy Margolis.