Olympic medalist Montgomery gets 4 years for role in check-kiting scam

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.

Olympic gold medalist Tim Montgomery was sentenced Friday to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a $5 million counterfeiting check case that also took down two other Olympic gold medal winners, Marion Jones and Steve Riddick.

The penalty is the latest in a string of legal and professional defeats for Montgomery, at one time the fastest human on the planet.

The 33-year-old former Norfolk State University sprinter already has been stripped of his world record and some of his medals after admitting steroid use. He now faces the possibility of receiving double or triple the prison time if he is convicted of unrelated heroin distribution charges filed against him in Norfolk's federal court.

Requests for leniency and mercy by Montgomery and his family were denied on Friday by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.

"I am very troubled that up until today he has not accepted responsibility," Karas said in court.

Montgomery, who last lived in Virginia Beach, gave a brief statement to the judge, telling him that the extent of his fall from the top hadn't dawned on him until he was forced to spend seven days in solitary confinement after his arrest last week on the heroin charges.

"I had everything I always wanted in life," he said in court. "I stood at the top of the mountain and heard the cheering."

But after spending time in the Portsmouth jail "with murderers and pedophiles," Montgomery said, "that's when the world opened up."

Montgomery's father, mother, brother, sister and girlfriend sat behind him in the courtroom.

In asking for leniency, Montgomery's father, Eddie Montgomery, told the judge that his son had made him proud with the achievements reached in track and field, but that "like all sons, they make mistakes."

The New York-based check-kiting ring cashed or attempted to cash $5 million in counterfeit checks, according to an indictment filed two years ago. Montgomery pleaded guilty to taking part in negotiating about $1.7 million in phony checks along with Riddick, his onetime Norfolk State track coach, who also was convicted and sentenced to prison time.

Jones, former girlfriend of Montgomery and mother of his child, is serving a six-month prison term for her minor role in the ring.

Montgomery tried to cash a number of checks, but succeeded with only one, for $375,000. He was paid $20,000 for his assistance. The rest of the proceeds were split among Riddick and others in the ring.

In a letter to the j udge seeking leniency, Montgomery's attorney Tim Heaphy wrote that Montgomery was encouraged to participate in the scheme by his agent, Charles Wells, who also was convicted in the case, as well as Riddick and Jones, "all of whom had a powerful influence on Mr. Montgomery."

Karas debunked that notion. "It was Mr. Montgomery's decision to take the wrong path," he said.

Prosecutors asked that Montgomery be given additional prison time - about another year - because of his arrest in Norfolk on the heroin charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danya Perry cited audio and video tapes of Montgomery participating in heroin sales as well as "very incriminating" statements he gave to federal agents after his arrest last week.

In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot after his arrest, Montgomery denied knowledge of the drug sales, but Perry said Montgomery "essentially admitted the conduct" in his interview with the agents.

The judge denied the request, but said it was "a close call."

However, Montgomery could get at least five to 10 more years in prison if convicted of the drug charges. He faces trial in July in Norfolk in that case.

Karas said he needed to fashion a punishment that reflected the seriousness of the crime and one that would act as a deterrent.

"I know this is a tough day for you," the judge said after handing down the sentence. "You control the fact that you can say no the next time temptation knocks on your door."

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 also held a world record in the 100-meter dash, set in 2002, but that record was stricken.

Riddick, who coached Montgomery and Jones, was a gold medal winner in the 1976 Olympics.

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