With news of Jared Fogle’s involvement with child pornography dominating the news, Subway has severed all ties with their former weight-loss hero. While the FBI won’t divulge many details about how they caught Fogle, he was part of a much larger sting operation.
The woman who recorded Fogle’s conversations about his involvement with child pornography was the first to report him to authorities. Rochelle Herman, a reporter who met Fogle at a school health event in Florida nearly a decade ago, was extremely disturbed by the way he referred to children – and that led her to contact the FBI, who then asked her to wear a wire when she communicated with him.
“He told me that he thought middle school girls were so hot,” said Herman. “I was in shock, I actually was questioning, ‘Did I really just hear what I think I heard?’ I looked over at my cameraman and he was just astounded.”
Fogle’s situation is far from unusual, though. Police and other law enforcement officials have long been known for staging complicated child pornography sting operations, and in many cases, people with only remote ties to the crime are arrested.
A conviction involving any type of child pornography can be devastating. In many cases, the alleged perpetrator is charged with one or more felonies, which become permanent additions to criminal records. Further, people convicted of child pornography charges must register as sex offenders – usually for life – and must disclose their addresses to authorities each time they move.
If you are convicted of any sex crime involving a child, you could be permanently prohibited from:
- Living within a certain distance of a school, park or day care center
- Visiting any location within a certain distance of a school, park or day care center
- Working with children
- Volunteering in organizations that serve children
Further, you’ll almost certainly face imprisonment.
What to Do if Police Arrest You in Connection with a Child Pornography Sting
The first thing you should do if police arrest you in connection with a child pornography sting is contact a Milwaukee sex crime lawyer who understands Wisconsin laws and how they’ll impact your case. Your attorney will be able to preserve your rights during questioning, while you’re incarcerated and when you appear in court.
Child pornography charges are extremely serious, and you could be taking a gamble with your future if you don’t work with an attorney who has experience in these matters.
If you need help, call us at 414-383-6700 or contact us online right away. Time is not on your side when you’re facing these types of charges, so the sooner you get in touch with a lawyer, the more prepared he or she will be to defend you in court.
