Authorities searched the Indiana home of Subway sandwich chain pitchman Jared Fogle on Tuesday, about two months after the executive director of his foundation was arrested on federal child pornography charges.
Fogle, well known from his appearances on Subway television commercials, was seen for a time outside his home in Zionsville, a suburb northwest of Indianapolis, as law enforcement agents removed electronics from the house, local news outlet WTHR reported.
Fogle left his home in the upscale neighborhood around midday as the search continued, according to local media.
It was not clear whether Fogle, a father of two, is a target of what authorities have said is a joint investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement officials. Officials declined to comment about the activity at Fogle's home.
Fogle's attorney said Fogle has not been detained or arrested or charged “with any crime or offense.”
“Jared has been cooperating, and continues to cooperate, with law enforcement in their investigation of unspecified charges and looks forward to its conclusion,” attorney Ron Elberger said in a statement.
Two police cars were parked in front of the two-story white brick house and law enforcement officers could be seen going in and out of the building. A large white truck belonging to law enforcement was stationed in the driveway of Fogle's home.
Subway, a privately held company, issued a statement saying it was “shocked” by the news and believed it was related to the prior investigation of the former Jared Foundation figure.
“We are very concerned and will be monitoring the situation closely,” a Subway spokesman said. “We don't have any more details at this point.”
A neighbor who asked not to be identified by name said Fogle has lived in the home for about four years and that the family members generally keep to themselves.
The Indiana State Police assisted the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana in the investigation, according to state police spokesman Sergeant Richard Myers.
Officials said the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service also were involved in the investigation.
Russell Taylor, the Jared Foundation's former executive director, was arrested on May 3 and charged with seven counts of production and one count of possession of child pornography.
Authorities said they found videos they believe Taylor produced by secretly filming minor children at this home. The investigators said they found more than 400 videos of alleged child pornography on computers and storage media recovered from Taylor's office in his Indianapolis home.
Fogle became a Subway spokesman after losing a reported 245 pounds (111 kg) in part by eating regularly at the sandwich chain. Fogle made his first Subway commercial in 2000 and appeared in a new one last year, according to the company's website.
