Battery charge dropped against Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley

A battery charge against two-time Olympic medalist Fred Kerley was dropped Tuesday after Florida prosecutors said they could not proceed to trial, bringing an end to a case stemming from his May 2025 arrest.

Kerley, 30, confirmed the development on Instagram following a court appearance in Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit alongside his attorney, Richard L. Cooper.

“Pressure built me, it didn’t break me. Case dismissed. Victory secured,” Kerley wrote. “You can’t stop destiny. It’s up from here.”

According to Cooper, prosecutors dropped the charge and Kerley had maintained his innocence from the start. The attorney said his client had “a target on his back” and expressed gratitude that prosecutors “made the right choice and did the right thing.”

The Office of the State Attorney said the matter had been scheduled for trial but could not proceed because the alleged victim was unavailable to appear in court. Officials said the judge denied a request to delay proceedings, leaving the state unable to move forward with the case.

Kerley had been arrested on May 1, 2025, following allegations that he struck his former girlfriend, fellow Olympic athlete Alaysha Johnson, during an encounter at a conditioning facility in Florida. Johnson told police the pair argued before he allegedly hit her in the face, causing her nose to bleed. Police noted at the time that her injuries were consistent with her account.

Despite the allegations, Kerley denied wrongdoing throughout the proceedings. With the charge now dropped and no conviction recorded, the case has formally concluded.