Mike Marsland/WireImageMichael Phelps has broken his silence following his arrest for DUI in Maryland in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The 29-year-old Olympic athlete was arrested on Sept. 30 at approximately 1:40 a.m. and charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95, the Maryland Transportation Authority confirmed to E! News.
This is the second DUI for Phelps, who, at the age of 19, was also pulled over by police in Maryland and arrested for DUI in November 2004.
(1/3) Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.
? Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014(2/3) I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility.
? Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014(3/3) I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.
? Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014According to authorities, Phelps was driving almost twice the posted speed limit (84 mph in a 45 mph zone), and after he was stopped by law enforcement, he was unable to satisfactorily perform a series of standard field sobriety tests.
In the wake of the athlete's run-in with the law, USA Swimming has released a statement, although Phelps, who is the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 medals, does not have any more meets scheduled this year so it's unclear if any disciplinary action will be taken.
"The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious. We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool," USA Swimming said.
E! News has also reached out to Under Armour, a sponsor of Phelps, as well as Aqua Sphere, with whom he signed a multi-year contract in August. Neither company responded to the request for comment, although the famous swimmer is still featured on Aqua Sphere's homepage.
In 2009, Kellogg's severed its ties with Phelps after a photo surfaced in which the swimmer is allegedly smoking a marijuana pipe. He later apologized for the photo and called his actions "inappropriate."
The Olympian previously announced his retirement after the 2012 London Games, where he won four gold and two silver medals, but later revealed he would be returning to swimming, citing the need for structure in his schedule.
"It's good to have some structure back in my life," he said in July. "That's how I've always been. That's something I need. I was happy to get that year and a half where I did whatever I wanted, went wherever I wanted. I got that out of the way, and I'm happy to have this back."