A woman who helped authorities secure a conviction against former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle said she's "relieved" the four-and-a-half-year process is over.
"I’m numb, I’m shocked. I’m relieved most of all," Rochelle Herman told Sarasota, Florida, ABC affiliate WWSB.
Fogle pleaded guilty on Wednesday to traveling to engage in "unlawful commercial sexual acts" with minors and to possession of child pornography.
Herman said she worked as an FBI informant, recording her conversations with Fogle, whom she met about 10 years ago.
"He is a monster," she said. "My heart goes out to [the victims] and my heart goes out to the families."
Herman revealed her identity in the WWSB interview published Wednesday. She also did an interview with the station last month, during which her name was withheld. At that time, Herman said Fogle told her numerous times that "middle school girls are hot."
In the new interview, Herman described other incriminating comments Fogle made to her.
"There was a time that he wanted to arrange a party with children," she said. "He would indicate exactly how to proceed with arranging the party and what he would do to gain the trust of the children and have his way."
In documents released on Wednesday, federal prosecutors said 12 of the 14 victims in the case are minors who were secretly filmed by Russell Taylor, the former executive of Fogle's foundation to raise awareness about childhood obesity. Fogle was given some of these videos and images, prosecutors said. The other two victims are underage girls, whom Fogle allegedly traveled to have commercial sex with.
Fogle faces between five and 12 years in prison.
As part of the plea agreement, Fogle will pay the 14 victims a total of $1.4 million.
Fogle's attorney, Jeremy Margolis, said his client hopes the money will help the victims "move forward with their lives."
"Jared also understands that he requires significant psychiatric medical treatment and counseling," Margolis said in a statement. "He has already begun that process by being extensively examined by a world-renowned expert in sexual conditions in order to chart a course to recovery. It is Jared's intent and goal to become healthy again."
Margolis also said Fogle expressed "remorse" for what he's done.
"Most importantly, Jared understands that he has hurt innocent people, vulnerable people, and his family," Margolis said. "He has expressed remorse to me and to his loved ones, and will, when given the opportunity, express that remorse to this court and to the people he has harmed. His intent is to spend the rest of his life making amends."
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