Atlanta Falcons Linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested on February 7 in Doral, Florida.
The arrest came after police said he crashed his vehicle during a police pursuit while fleeing a domestic dispute.
According to a report from Fox Sports South Florida’s Andy Slater, James Pearce Jr. is accused of intentionally crashing his Lamborghini into his ex-girlfriend’s car multiple times. Pearce Jr. tried to stop her from getting to a police station. James Pearce Jr. would then be chased by law enforcement.
According to a USA Today article by Eric Larsen, court records show that Pearce faces four felony allegations in the dispute and the pursuit:
- Two counts of felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
- Felony aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.
- Felony fleeing and eluding police with lights and sirens activated.
- Misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence.
New Details Regarding Pearce Jr.’s Arrest
According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi X post, James Pearce Jr. allegedly crashed his vehicle into WNBA player Rickea Jackson’s vehicle multiple times. Pearce also struck a police officer with the vehicle while evading arrest.
“A Doral Police Department report states that Jackson, 24, had blocked Pearce’s phone number after ending their three-year relationship but he continued contacting her using an alternate number and sent her unwanted texts.” Local 10 News reported.
“Jackson noticed Pearce’s Lamborghini SUV behind her as she turned into her neighborhood. They said she kept driving and as she stopped at a red light at Northwest 102nd Avenue and 74th Street, Pearce got out of his vehicle and tried to open her driver’s side door.”
After Jackson tried to drive to Doral Police Department headquarters, Pearce purposely rear-ended the WNBA player. Pearce then blocked Jackson’s access to the police headquarters with his vehicle. As Jackson was trying to escape Pearce, he intentionally collided head-on with her vehicle, according to the report.
Local 10 News also reported Pearce purposely hit an officer as he tried to flee authorities on Saturday.
“According to a separate DPD report, officers arrived soon after and as an officer pulled out his gun and ordered Pearce to the ground, the athlete ignored his commands and got back in his Lamborghini. Police said the officer tried to open the door to get Pearce out twice, but he drove away and hit the officer in the knee as he fled. As he led officers on a chase, Pearce eventually crashed near Northwest 102nd Path and 65th Lane and began to run away, police said.”
“Cops arrested Pearce on two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count each of aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting without violence.” The report says.
After appearing in Miami-Dade bond court, a judge ordered Pearce to stay away from Rickea Jackson. Pearce was released from jail on February 8th after posting bail.
Atlanta Falcons Statement on James Pearce Jr’s Arrest
According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the Falcons released a statement regarding Pearce’s arrest.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.” Garafolo Reported.
James Pearce Jr. recorded 10.5 sacks and a forced fumble during his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons. The 22-year-old was third in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Pearce’s 10.5 sacks were the most for a rookie since Micah Parsons in 2024.
James Pearce Jr. attended the University of Tennessee. He was selected 26th overall by the Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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