American sprint star Fred Kerley arrested after allegedly punching girlfriend
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 03.05.25. | 15:37
Kerley was charged with one count of "battery-touch or strike" and appeared in court the following day
American sprint star and two-time Olympic 100m medallist Fred Kerley is in legal trouble once again, following his arrest in Dania Beach, Florida, for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend and fellow athlete Alaysha Johnson.
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According to the Broward County Sheriff's Office, the 29-year-old former world champion was arrested on Thursday, 1 May, after reportedly punching Johnson in the face at a hotel.
The alleged incident occurred just hours before the start of the second leg of the Grand Slam Track meeting in Miami, where both athletes were scheduled to compete.
Kerley was charged with one count of "battery-touch or strike" and appeared in court the following day. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
His attorney, Richard Cooper, released a statement on Friday, saying that they were confident that the case would be dismissed.
"We are confident that this case will be summarily dismissed shortly," he said.
In response to the incident, Grand Slam Track confirmed Kerley's withdrawal from the meet.
"Fred Kerley was arrested last night. The matter is under active investigation. Fred will not compete this weekend. We have no further comment at this time," the statement read.
Johnson, 28, an Olympic hurdler, was also expected to race in Miami.
Kerley had recently returned from Jamaica, where he competed in the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet.
He was set to run the 100m on Saturday, 3 and the 200m on Sunday, 4 May.
This marked Kerley’s second arrest in South Florida this year.
In January, he was arrested in Miami Beach for battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct after a confrontation caught on police bodycam.
Further complicating matters, Kerley's estranged wife, Angelica Kerley, accused him of domestic violence following an incident in May 2024.
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She claimed he repeatedly refused to grant her a divorce, despite her requests for a fresh start.
Kerley won silver in the 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and followed it up with a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games. He also clinched the world title in 2022, making him one of the sport's most prominent sprinters.
