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U.S. Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley was arrested for misdemeanor battery on Thursday after allegedly striking ex-girlfriend and Olympic hurdler Alaysha Johnson at a hotel in Florida.
According to an arrest report obtained by TMZ, Dania Beach police arrived at the hotel around 7:48 a.m. to investigate a report filed by Johnson, 28, stating that Kerley, 29, had hit her during a conditioning appointment before an upcoming track meet.
Johnson said Kerley started arguing with her and at one point said, “I’m going to f–k everyone up in here up.”
Kerley later allegedly hit Johnson, whom he previously dated for around six months, “one time in the facial area, causing her nose to bleed,” per the report.
Police noted that Johnson’s injuries “were consistent with her statements.”
The two-time Olympic medalist was booked at Broward County jail, has since been dismissed from Sunday’s Grand Slam Track event in Miami, where he was set to compete in the 100-meter dash on Saturday and the 200-meter dash on Sunday.
“Fred Kerley was arrested last night. The matter is under active investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office,” Grand Slam Track said, per Reuters. “Fred will not compete this weekend.”
Kerley was booked with a first-degree misdemeanor charge of touch and/or strike battery, with his bond set at $1,000, per jail records viewed by The Post.
Kerley’s attorney, Richard L. Cooper, said he is “confident that the case lacks merit and will be dismissed in short order,” according to USA Today.
“Fred looks forward to going back to what he does best: Winning races and inspiring millions of young athletes,” Cooper said.
In January, Kerley was tased and arrested for battery during a wild confrontation with police in Miami Beach.
He was also charged with domestic battery in an unrelated case from 2024.
Kerley pleaded not guilty in both cases.
The 29-year-old, who was initially a specialist in the 400-meter, won the bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter dash in the Paris Games last summer.
His other medal — silver — was earned at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 in the same event.
English (US)