Federal prosecutors say a Jacksonville man landed at the center of an anti-doping case that stretched from local track meets all the way to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
According to federal charging documents, the defendant is 46-year-old Paul Alexander Askew, who is accused of conspiring to provide performance-enhancing drugs to an athlete. If he is convicted, Askew faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Local station News4JAX reported that the alleged scheme ran from July 10, 2023, through Jan. 31, 2024, and involved a slate of domestic and international meets, citing federal charging papers.
What the indictment alleges
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal grand jury alleges that Askew conspired to supply prohibited substances to an athlete who competed, and planned to compete, at multiple major events. Those meets include the Ed Murphey Classic, Xiamen Diamond League, Prefontaine Classic, the 2024 American Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The charging document describes the alleged conspiracy as running from on or about July 10, 2023, through on or about Jan. 31, 2024.
Forfeiture and local reporting
News4JAX also noted that the indictment includes a forfeiture allegation in which the United States signals its intent to seize assets it claims are tied to proceeds of the alleged offense. The outlet highlighted the standard Justice Department reminder that an indictment is only an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Investigators and prosecution
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick M. Flanigan is slated to handle the prosecution, and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the charges.
Court status and next steps
The grand jury returned the indictment in the Middle District of Florida, and the charging papers include a forfeiture count tied to the alleged scheme. No arraignment date was listed in the public documents, and standard pretrial scheduling and discovery are expected to follow in federal court.
Legal implications
The indictment charges a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 2402(a). That statute makes it a federal crime to influence a major international sports competition through doping and also allows for forfeiture under 21 U.S.C. § 2403. A conviction under this law can result in prison time and asset forfeiture, although Askew, like any defendant, retains the presumption of innocence while the case proceeds.
The charging documents do not identify the athlete allegedly involved, and prosecutors have not announced any additional court dates beyond what appears in the public filings. This story will be updated as new federal court records and official statements are released.
