Florida Man Indicted for Supplying Banned Drugs in Doping Case Involving US Sprinter
Federal authorities have charged a Florida man with providing banned substances to an athlete in a case connected to the 45-month doping ban imposed on Olympic sprinter Marvin Bracy-Williams. The indictment was announced on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Orlando, targeting Paul Askew of Jacksonville for violations under the Rodchenkov Act.
Legal Charges and Potential Penalties
The Rodchenkov Act, enacted in 2020, empowers U.S. authorities to prosecute doping crimes related to international sporting events. Prosecutors stated that Askew could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. As of now, Askew has not responded to messages from The Associated Press sent to an email address and phone number listed under his name. Court records indicate he is in the process of being assigned an attorney.
Background on Marvin Bracy-Williams
Marvin Bracy-Williams, who competed in the 100 meters at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and won a silver medal at the 2022 world championships, mysteriously vanished from sprinting in 2023. He agreed to a 45-month ban last November after a whistleblower brought a case to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This led to Bracy-Williams testing positive for a banned substance. The case involved his attempt to hinder the investigation, but he ultimately provided substantial assistance to authorities, helping uncover other doping instances, as USADA noted at the time.
Allegations and Impacted Events
The indictment alleges that between July 2023 and January 2024, Askew conspired with others to influence international sports competitions by supplying performance-enhancing drugs to an athlete. Events reportedly affected include the 2024 Paris Olympics and Olympic trials, the 2024 world indoor championships, a 2023 Diamond League meet in China, and the 2023 Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.
Cross-Agency Coordination and Future Implications
USADA released a statement expressing gratitude for the collaboration among agencies, including the Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Athletics Integrity Unit, which manages doping cases for World Athletics. The statement emphasized that the Rodchenkov Act and the ability to hold violators accountable are crucial as the U.S. prepares to host major sporting events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
