The American sprinter has been suspended and could face up to 12 months in prison if he is found guilty. Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley, once hailed as 'the fastest man alive', has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge following an alleged altercation with his ex-girlfriend, fellow Olympian Alaysha Johnson. The incident, which reportedly occurred on May 1 at a hotel in Dania Beach, Florida, has further complicated Kerley's athletic career and public image. TMZ Sports reports that Fred Kerley's lawyer, Richard Cooper, told the Broward County court last week that the 30-year-old Olympic silver medalist plans to fight the battery charge in a jury trial. Legal proceedings and allegations According to the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Johnson reported that Kerley struck her in the face during a confrontation, resulting in a bloody nose. Police noted that her injuries were consistent with her account of the incident. Per New York Post, Kerley was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery, later posting a $1,000 bond. Kerley's attorney, Richard Cooper, has stated that the arrest was a result of Kerley's decision to remain silent until legal counsel was present, asserting his client's innocence. Cooper emphasized that the arrest was a "snap decision based on incomplete evidence" and expressed confidence in Kerley's eventual exoneration . The legal issues have had immediate repercussions on Kerley's professional life. He was removed from the lineup of Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track event in Miami and has been suspended from upcoming meets, including the Philadelphia leg scheduled for May 31 to June 1. This incident adds to a series of legal challenges for Kerley, including a prior arrest in January involving an altercation with Miami Beach police and a separate domestic battery charge from May 2024 . Once a dominant figure in sprinting, with a silver medal in the 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a bronze at the Paris 2024 Games, Kerley's current legal troubles now threaten to overshadow his athletic achievements.