Fred Kerley, the renowned American sprinter and Olympic medalist, was arrested Thursday night in Miami following a dramatic altercation with police. According to reports, the encounter occurred near an ongoing investigation on the 100 block of 9th Street. Kerley allegedly approached officers to express worry over his nearby parked vehicle. According to a USA Today report, the Miami Beach Police Department revealed body-worn camera footage of the arrest.
The video shows Fred Kerley, who earned a bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter sprint in Paris 2024, conversing with police officers. The officers then strike and wrestle the sprinter to the ground. According to reports, Fred Kerley had to be subdued with a stun gun known as a taser. He was subsequently brought away by police after being handcuffed. Fred Kerley is said to have shoved one of the officers.
This escalated the issue. According to TMZ, Kerley was arrested for three charges. He was already facing charges of battery on a police officer and resisting an officer without violence. Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer could not find probable cause to charge him with disorderly conduct/breach of the peace during his first hearing on Friday afternoon, so he was freed from jail on his recognisance.
From Podium to Prison
Fred Kerley‘s arrest comes as a surprise to supporters who are familiar with his impressive track record. The Texas sprinter has competed for Team USA in two Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in the 100-meter race in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a bronze medal in the same event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Beyond the Olympics, Kerley has won multiple World Championships. In 2017, he earned silver in the 4×400-meter relay, then gold in the same event, and bronze in the 400-meter final in the 2019 games in Doha. Kerley back in 2022 became the 100-meter world title in Eugene, running an astounding 9.86 seconds. In 2023, he won gold in the 4×100-meter relay at the World Championships in Budapest, adding to his winning streak.
