After years of angry denials, Marion Jones is ready to admit to doping.

The Olympic track star, with her mother at her side, was swarmed by dozens of reporters, photographers and TV cameras as she arrived at a federal courthouse Friday afternoon.

After walking up the courthouse steps, Jones was taken to be processed, fingerprinted and booked by U.S. Marshals, according to a federal official.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist was scheduled to plead guilty to charges in connection with steroid use, a federal law enforcement source told The Associated Press. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, and would not provide specific details about the plea.

Jones has sent family and close friends a letter in which she said she used steroids before the Sydney Games, The Washington Post reported Thursday. The Post was the first to report that Jones would come clean on doping.

Jones said in her letter that she faced up to six months in jail and would be sentenced in three months, according to the newspaper.

"I want to apologize for all of this," the Post reported Jones saying in her letter, quoting a person who received a copy and read it to the paper. "I am sorry for disappointing you all in so many ways."

Now, her admission could cost Jones the five medals she won in Sydney, where she was the most celebrated female athlete of the games. She didn't win the five golds she wanted, but she came away with three and two bronzes, and her bright smile and charming personality made her a star.