Former 100m champion Fred Kerley released on bail following arrest
Kerley was reported to have been arrested on Saturday for allegedly punching his former girlfriend.
Following his shocking arrest over the weekend, former 100m world champion Fred Kerley says he will clear his name.
Kerley was reported to have been arrested on Saturday for allegedly punching his former girlfriend and fellow athlete Alaysha Johnson in the face.
He has now come out to state that the altercation was a "misunderstanding".
According to a report by various US-based papers, the two-time Olympic medallist has acknowledged there was a "physical altercation" but denied that was the reason for his arrest in Miami last Thursday.
"While there was a physical altercation, my arrest was not due to any criminal act," Kerley wrote in a statement posted on his social media accounts.
The 29-year-old sprinter, taking time to talk about the situation, explained that he had been arrested because he chose to await his lawyer to arrive and process his booking at the Police Station, and not a criminal matter.
"I chose not to speak to law enforcement without my attorney, and for that reason alone, I was booked. I remain fully committed to clearing my name and cooperating with appropriate parties to resolve it," said the athlete.
"I take full accountability for placing myself in a situation that allowed for this misunderstanding, and I am taking active steps to ensure nothing like this happens again."
The alleged altercation occurred at a hotel in Dania Beach before Kerley had been scheduled to compete in Miami at the second Grand Slam Track meeting, which started on Friday.
Reuters and CBS reported that Kerley had been charged with one count of "battery-touch or strike", as per the arrest report from the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
CBS said Kerley appeared in court on Friday and posted a $1,000 (Sh127,000) bond before leaving custody.
Kerley was the Olympic silver medalist over 100m at the 2020 Olympics and bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics in the same event.
Kerley has earned an additional six medals at the World Championships, most notably 100 m gold at the 2022 edition.
He has also medalled in the 400m, 4 × 100m relay, and 4 × 400m relay and won eleven Diamond League races, including two Diamond League finals; the 400m in 2018 and the 100m in 2021.