James Pearce Jr., Falcons Player, Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges
Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Florida on Saturday on multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. The incident involved WNBA player Rickea Jackson and a police officer. According to the criminal complaint obtained, Pearce allegedly crashed his vehicle into Jackson’s on several occasions and struck a police officer while attempting to evade arrest. Pearce was released on Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bail. Jackson, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, told police that Pearce followed her in a white Lamborghini SUV on Saturday morning. When Jackson’s car stopped at a red light, Pearce tried to open the driver’s door. Jackson accelerated and headed towards the Doral Police Department. Pearce followed her, intentionally crashing into the rear of her vehicle and then colliding head-on with Jackson’s car. Doral police officers responded to the scene. Pearce refused to obey orders and fled in his vehicle, hitting an officer in the knee. Police pursued Pearce until he crashed at an intersection and fled on foot, ultimately being apprehended after resisting arrest. Pearce was taken to a medical center for evaluation and spent Saturday night and much of Sunday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The charges Pearce faces include two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, evasion, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, as well as a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence.Jackson told the police that she and Pearce had a relationship of approximately three years that recently ended. Jackson blocked Pearce’s phone number, but he continued to contact her through an alternative number. Jackson showed the police text messages in which she asked Pearce to leave her alone. The Falcons issued a statement on Saturday night indicating that they were “gathering more information.” Pearce, who finished third in the voting for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, set a Falcons rookie record with 10.5 sacks in 2025.“We look forward to working with the Prosecution to fully investigate this case and uncover the truth. Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and asks the public to understand that, while the accusations have the power to shape a narrative, that is not the whole story. We look forward to vigorously defending our client and are confident that he will continue to contribute positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”
Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen, Pearce’s legal team
