Marion Jones out of prison

San Antonio -- Former U.S. sprinter Marion Jones has been released from a federal prison in Texas after serving a six-month term for lying to prosecutors about using steroids.

Jones' sentence also included her knowledge of a check-fraud scam involving former boyfriend Tim Montgomery, another disgraced American sprinter.

Jones had denied using steroids to federal prosecutors when questioned in 2003.

She came clean last October during an emotional and tearful public statement to her family, friends, and fans, to using the steroid "the clear," which was produced by the California Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative -- also known as BALCO -- that was given to her by her trainer Trevor Graham.

The athlete of the year by several organizations in 2000 admitted to taking the steroids leading up the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Jones was stripped of the five medals -- three gold -- she won in Sydney.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.