Ex-Gold Medalist Busted on Heroin Charges

— -- NORFOLK, Va. — Former track star Tim Montgomery has been indicted on heroin distribution charges, the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported Thursday.

The 33-year-old sprinter was arrested Wednesday on a sealed indictment, accused of dealing more than 100 grams of heroin in Virginia over the past year, according to the newspaper.

Montgomery was being held at the Portsmouth city jail, said Karin Johnson, public information officer for the Portsmouth sheriff's office. She said U.S. marshals brought him in Wednesday night.

Montgomery told the newspaper he knew nothing of the accusations and that his arrest was a "total surprise."

"You get caught up in the achievements," he said. "You get blinded and make really bad mistakes."

The former 100-meter world record-holder is to be sentenced May 16 in a New York-based check-kiting conspiracy. Montgomery, who pleaded guilty, admitted he helped his former coach, Olympic champion Steve Riddick, and others cash $1.7 million in stolen and counterfeit checks. He faces up to 46 months in prison.

Riddick is serving a five-year prison term. Montgomery's former companion, Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones, is serving a six-month prison term for lying to investigators about the check-fraud scam and using steroids.

Montgomery won a gold medal in the 400 relay at the 2000 Olympics and a silver medal in the 400 relay at the 1996 Olympics.

In December 2005, Montgomery was banned from track for two years for doping and he retired. All of his performances after March 31, 2001, were wiped from the books, including his world record of 9.78 seconds in the 100-meter dash in September 2002.