Olympic Sprinter Fred Kerley Arrested for Allegedly Punching Ex-Girlfriend
Olympic medalist Fred Kerley has been arrested once again, this time for allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend Alaysha Johnson in the face at a hotel in Dania Beach, Florida, before a competition. According to police, the incident occurred on Thursday at a hotel where Johnson, who is also an Olympic athlete, had an appointment with her conditioning coach.
The arrest report states that Johnson told the officer she was struck one time by Kerley in the face with a closed fist, causing her nose to bleed, after he had become aggressive and continued to approach her. The report also said Johnson’s injuries were ‘consistent with her statements’ and that Kerley was charged with one count of ‘battery-touch or strike.’
Kerley, 29, was granted a $1,000 bond and told not to get in contact with Johnson or return to the place of arrest at a court appearance on Friday. Richard Cooper, Kerley’s attorney, said in a statement that his client was ‘attacked’ during his interaction with Johnson. ‘We ask Fred’s sponsors, fans, and the public for patience and respect as we let the State Attorney conduct his investigation,’ Cooper said. ‘We are confident that this case will be summarily dismissed shortly.’
This is not Kerley’s first run-in with the law. On January 3, Kerley was tasered before being arrested and charged with battery on a police officer in Miami. Miami Beach police officers told WSVN that Kerley approached an active police scene to discuss his vehicle, which was parked nearby. It’s claimed the 29-year-old then became increasingly aggressive and would not move on when asked to by the officers.
Kerley, who won 100m bronze at last year’s Olympics in Paris, and Johnson dated for about six months but broke up last October, according to the arrest report. As a result of his arrest, Kerley will no longer compete in the Grand Slam Track event in Miami this weekend. Kerley, who also won 100m silver at the 2020 Tokyo Games, was scheduled to compete in Miami in the 100m on Saturday and 200m on Sunday.
The incident has raised concerns about Kerley’s behavior, particularly in light of his past relationships. Kerley’s estranged wife, Angelica, relived the horrifying moment she thought she would ‘die at his hands’ in an emotional interview with the Daily Mail. Angelica claimed Kerley choked her during an alleged early morning attack back in May 2024 in the bedroom of their home just south of Miami.
Angelica, the mother of their three young children, claimed Kerley only stopped and fled after their 9-year-old daughter Mia bravely tackled her super fit six-feet three-inches father from behind, and began desperately clawing at his eyes. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail about what she said was the inside story of her turbulent 10-year relationship with the track icon – Angelica claimed he’s a serial cheater who leads a ‘double life.’
Kerley’s attorney labeled her account ‘fabrications,’ pointing out they were not sufficient for cops to arrest him at the time. ‘The only ones being hurt by these imaginative claims are their three young children who will remember how their mother sacrificed their privacy and their father’s reputation for fleeting fame,’ said lawyer Richard Cooper.
As well as his Olympic bronze in Paris, Kerley is also a reigning 4x100m world champion and former 100m and 4x400m relay gold medalist. Kerley currently holds the sixth fastest 100m time in history with a best of 9.76 that he posted in 2022. According to the Daily Mail, Kerley starred in both seasons of Netflix’s athletics docuseries ‘Sprint’ last year.
Both Kerley and Johnson represented the USA at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, with Johnson finishing seventh in the women’s 100m hurdles. The incident has raised questions about Kerley’s future in athletics and his personal life. The Daily Mail will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
