Fred Kerley’s mugshot (L) when he was arrested in Miami in January (R)
Fred Kerley was arrested last January in Miami, an incidence that left him suffering injuries to the ribs and also forced him to undergo an MRI scan to his head.
Reigning Olympic 100m bronze medalist Fred Kerley has broken his silence on a harrowing encounter with Miami police earlier this year, recounting in detail a brutal arrest that left him with injuries and deep frustrations over how the incident was handled.
Kerley, who secured a bronze medal in the 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was arrested and stun-gunned by officers in Miami, Florida, on January 3rd.
He was charged with battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. However, despite the charges, Kerley insists he was never officially told why he was being detained.
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How Kerley was arrested
Body camera footage released by authorities shows the moment tensions escalated. In the video, one officer raises his hand and presses it against Kerley’s chest. Kerley responds by brushing the hand away before another officer steps in and shoves him.
What follows is a scuffle, with multiple officers wrestling him to the ground. Although the initial part of the footage lacks audio, the physical confrontation is clearly visible.
Kerley claims he was repeatedly struck in the head and ribs during the altercation, injuries that later required an MRI.
Kerley’s girlfriend, DJ Sky High Baby, who was with him at the time, was also arrested. She was charged with resisting arrest after yelling at the officers while filming the incident. Kerley was additionally hit with a felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
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Speaking candidly on The Pivot Podcast, Kerley recounted the traumatic experience:
“My girl has diabetes, and we were heading to the car. I asked if we could get in the car, and that’s when one officer told me to walk around,” Kerley said.
“As I was doing that, the officer in front put his hands on me. I asked him, ‘Why are you putting your hands on me?’—and that’s when everything escalated.”
Kerley has accused the police of mishandling him, claiming they never read to him his rights during the arrest.
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“They still haven’t said I was under arrest or anything,” he continued. “As I was walking, they just started yelling, ‘Stop resisting!’ and I’m like, ‘Resisting what? You’re grabbing me.’ One of them grabbed me in five different ways trying to slam me, but I wasn’t going to the ground.”
“I’m strong,” he added. “I’ve watched the video now, and I still think, ‘You tried to throw my face into the ground.’ We were talking like professionals at first, and then suddenly they switched up. I guess they were used to manhandling people.
“But I was like, ‘We can talk like men.’ Instead, they just kept yelling and then once I was down, they started hitting me in the head, in the side. My ribs are still messed up. I had to get an MRI—there’s a bruise on the left side of my head.”
Kerley’s domestic woes
Kerley’s arrest was revealed to be because of a domestic incidence that occurred three months before the Olympics in May 2024.
The 29-year old had been taken into custody after police filed domestic violence charges against him. He was accused of domestic battery by strangulation and strong-arm robbery involving his then-wife, Angelica Kerley.
According to police documents, officers responded to a violent altercation at his home that reportedly stemmed from a heated argument.
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The couple, who had been together for over a decade, had an exchange that escalated to what authorities described as a potentially life-threatening situation. Kerley was served a restraining order against Angelica.
Although Kerley was given a restraining order from his wife in court, he is not happy with the manner in which he was arrested.
“It is what it is—but at the same time, it’s not,” he said. “Because if I was just a regular person, this would’ve gone under the rug. But since I’m a high-profile athlete, it’s getting attention. Miami police have been doing this for years—but enough is enough.”
Despite the legal battles, Kerley has returned to competition, beginning preparations for his 2025 season. He has already participated in two races, including the recent inaugural Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston.
Fred Kerley’s frustrations will certainly call attention to the police practices that, he says, have unfairly targeted him and others for far too long.
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