Federal judge denies bond for former NSU track star on heroin charges

NORFOLK

A federal magistrate judge denied bond on Tuesday to Olympic gold medalist Tim Montgomery after prosecutors described the details of four undercover heroin sales the one-time track star is accused of making.

The former Norfolk State University sprinter, 33, once dubbed the world's fastest human, was arrested last week on a charge of dealing more than 100 grams of heroin over the past year.

In denying bond, Magistrate Judge F. Bradford Stillman described Montgomery as a danger to the community and a threat to flee. He also cited Montgomery's impending sentencing in New York in an unrelated check-kiting case.

"This is an unfortunate situation, to say the least,"

Stillman said in court. "The weight of the evidence against the defendant is strong."

Montgomery is scheduled to be sentenced May 16 in New York on three bank fraud charges that stem from his involvement in a $5 million counterfeit check ring. He pleaded guilty a year ago in that case and had been free on bond pending sentencing. He admitted helping cash $1.7 million in phony checks.

Now, Montgomery is accused of making four heroin sales to an informant working with the Drug Enforcement Administration over the past year.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Hurt said in court that Montgomery sold a total of 111 grams, or nearly 4 ounces, of heroin, for a total of $8,450. All four sales were audio taped and the last two were videotaped as well, with DEA agents watching from nearby, Hurt said. He did not specify where the sales occurred, other than in eastern Virginia.

Montgomery pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot last week denied involvement in any drug sales. Stillman set the case for trial on July 9.

Montgomery's role in the alleged heroin sales could hurt him next week when he is sentenced in New York, Hurt said.

He had already faced three to four years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. Hurt said his New York counterparts plan to file papers seeking to increase Montgomery's penalty to roughly four to five years in prison.

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. He trained at Norfolk State under Steve Riddick, a co-defendant in the check case.

He also held a world record in the 100-meter dash, set in 2002, but that record was stricken after he was linked to steroid use.

Originally from South Carolina, Montgomery has been living in Virginia Beach, where he is a partner in the nightclub Encore. He is also a partner in a clothing line called Silverback Gorilla, according to his attorney, James Broccoletti.

Broccoletti declined to comment on the drug charges.

Montgomery's father, who was in court, also declined to comment.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com