Fred Kerley was arrested Thursday night after he allegedly struck his ex-girlfriend, according to a police report, and will not compete at Grand Slam Track’s meet in the Miami area this weekend.
Police say that Kerley, 29, struck Alaysha Johnson in the face and caused her nose to bleed following a confrontation at the Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel. Johnson, 28, was also scheduled to appear at Grand Slam Track in the women’s short hurdles.
In a statement made to police, Johnson said that Kerley allegedly approached her and became aggressive. The report later noted that “Johnson’s injuries were consistent with her statements.”
The arrest report also revealed that Kerley and Johnson dated for six months last year but broke up in October. He was arrested and later booked at the Broward County Jail.
Kerley’s attorney, Richard L. Cooper, released a statement to ABC affiliate WPLG Local 10 News on Friday that said: “These allegations lack merit and the witnesses lack credibility. My client was attacked unprovoked and in the scuffle someone else was unintentionally harmed. It should be noted that the attacker also got arrested that day. We anticipate that Fred’s charges will be dismissed.”
There was no immediate report of another arrest at the location of the incident involving Kerley, according to police.
Organizers at Grand Slam Track confirmed that Kerley would not participate in any of the events at the meet during the weekend at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar and would be replaced by sprinter Brandon Hicklin.
“Fred Kerley was arrested last night,” a statement from the track league said. “The matter is under active investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Fred will not compete this weekend. We have no further comment at this time.”
Late Friday night, Kerley was released on bail after appearing in court and was granted a $1,000 bond, while the judge ordered that he have no contact with Johnson.
Kerley was involved in an incident with Miami Beach police in January, when police said he approached the scene of an active investigation and refused to leave since he was apparently trying to access his vehicle.
The matter escalated and Kerley was arrested after officers said he assumed a “fighting stance” and was subdued with a stun gun and later taken into custody after backup officers arrived. He was charged with battery, resisting an officer without violence and disorderly conduct.
Kerley is a standout sprinter and won a silver medal in the men’s 100m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and bronze in the same event at the Paris Games last year.
