There is a saying – where there is smoke there is fire. Most people go their entire lives without the slightest brush with the law. For others trouble with the law is like fly paper – they are constantly getting stuck. I happen to fall in the latter category (at least not for that last 5 years).

Another person who seems to find himself involved with law enforcement officials is American Jeremy Dodson, a member of the US track team. Is Dodson guilty of theft or is he a victim of identity theft?

Dodson was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of identity theft, days before he was scheduled to leave for South Korea to represent Team USA in the 2011 IAAF World Championships.

As a witness to a shooting in 2010, Dodson, 23, was visiting the Victim Witness Office in Boulder, Co. to report the dates he would be out of the country. Various issues with alleged identity theft brought Dodson's name up in an arrest warrant. He was arrested, but quickly released after posting $10,000 bond and will appear in court at the end of this week.

Several instances of identity theft allegedly involving Dodson were detailed on the arrest affidavit. In 2009, three reports of stolen credit cards were made to police. During investigations, detectives traced the purchase of a computer, HD television, an iPod Touch and other electronic equipment to Dodson's home. Despite this information he was not arrested at that time.

Earlier this year a woman reported her wallet missing and that she had discovered $2,000 in pending charges on her credit card, including an Amazon Kindle e-reader and an Apple MacBook, which were both delivered to Dodson. Dodson claims that he has also been a victim of identity theft and that the purchases were made in his name through a third party.

As per the conditions of his bond, Dodson was required to surrender his passport. He is supposed to be participating in the 200 meter run at the IAAF World Championships, which begins on September 2.

It all sounds fishy as Dodson claims he has lost his wallet at least three times on Pearl Street. He also claims to have lost his social security card. For Dodson’s sake I hope he has not committed theft. But there certainly is a lot of smoke around him right now!