Alaysha Johnson (L) and Fred Kerley (R)
Olympic medalist Fred Kerley is back in the headlines for the wrong reasons after being arrested in Dania Beach, Florida, on May 1, 2025, over allegations of assault against his ex-girlfriend, fellow Olympian Alaysha Johnson.
The alleged incident occurred at the upscale Le Méridien hotel where the two athletes were staying ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam Track event in Miami.
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson told deputies that Kerley punched her during a heated exchange, leaving her with a bloody nose.
Officers stated that her injuries were consistent with her account of events.
Kerley was taken into custody and later released on a $1,000 bond.
He now faces a misdemeanour battery charge.
But the drama didn’t end there. A woman identified as Kerley’s current girlfriend, known online as DJ Sky High Baby, added a twist to the saga, insisting that Johnson’s boyfriend was involved and actually the one who assaulted her.
Kerley’s lawyer, Richard Cooper, strongly denied the accusations, calling the situation a “smear campaign” and warning against premature conclusions.
He assured the public that the full story would eventually clear his client’s name.
This is not Kerley’s first brush with controversy; he has had two prior arrests within the past year.
In January 2025, he was tased and arrested following a scuffle with police in Miami Beach.
Before that, in May 2024, he faced domestic battery and robbery charges involving his wife, pleading not guilty in both cases.
Following this latest development, Grand Slam Track organisers confirmed Kerley’s withdrawal from the Miami meet where he was set to compete in the 100m and 200m sprints. An investigation is ongoing.
Kerley, a silver and bronze medalist from the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, respectively, now finds his future on the track overshadowed by legal troubles.
Johnson, also a Paris 2024 Olympian, has yet to make a public statement.
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