Former US Olympic sprinter Tim Montgomery has been sentenced to 46 months in prison for a cheque fraud and money laundering scheme that also helped bring down Marion Jones, his former girlfriend.

The sentencing marked the latest slide for the one-time fastest man in the world, who was already in federal custody on suspicion of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute in Virginia. He has yet to be tried in that case.

Montgomery, the former 100 metres record holder, was barred from competition in 2005 for his role in a steroid scandal. He pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy and two counts of bank fraud for depositing or trying to deposit three cheques worth $775,000 (£396,000) into an account he controlled.

That was part of what prosecutors allege was a wider scheme involving more than a dozen suspects and $5 million (£2.55 million) in stolen, altered and counterfeit cheques.

In January, Olympic superstar sprinter Jones was sentenced to six months in prison for misleading investigators about the same cheque fraud scheme and for lying about her steroid use in a separate investigation.

Jones was stripped of her five 2000 Olympic medals.

Reuters