ATLANTA (AP) — The attorney for Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. says Pearce “maintains his innocence” as he faces five felony charges following his arrest near Miami on Saturday night.
Pearce's charges include fleeing police after what Doral police said was a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce was arrested after crashing his car. His charges include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking.
According to details of the arrest in the complaint/arrest affidavit obtained by The Associated Press from the Miami-Dade County state attorney's office on Monday, Pearce allegedly refused an initial order from police to “get on the floor” when they responded to the report of the domestic dispute. The police account says Pearce then drove away and hit a police officer's left knee with his Lamborghini “intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest.”
According to the police account of the arrest, Pearce wrecked his vehicle and then continued in his attempt to elude police by running before being apprehended following a “short struggle.”
The police account said Jackson told police she ended the relationship with Pearce after three years and blocked his phone number before Pearce continued to contact her by using a different number.
According to the police account, Jackson told police she attempted to drive away from Pearce and was driving toward the Doral police station to seek help when Pearce “intentionally collided into the rear of her vehicle with his SUV” before police arrived.
Pearce posted bond of $20,500 Sunday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth," Pearce's attorney, Jacob Nunez, said in a statement released to The Associated Press on Monday.
"Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story. We look forward to vigorously defending our client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”
Nunez declined further comment.
Pearce was given a pre-trial stay-away order from Jackson. Pearce and Jackson's relationship began when both played at Tennessee. Jackson sat beside Pearce at the 2025 NFL draft.
The Falcons said in a statement Saturday they are aware of the arrest. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time,” the team said.
The charges could threaten Pearce's future with the team.
The Falcons traded their 2026 first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 26 overall pick in last year's draft used to select Pearce. He then set a Falcons rookie record with a team-leading 10 1/2 sacks. The Falcons set a team record with 57 sacks, one year after finishing next to last in the league with only 31.
Despite the improved pass rush, the Falcons finished 8-9 for their eighth consecutive losing season. Second-year coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot were fired. New president of football Matt Ryan has helped reshape the team's leadership, including the hirings of coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham.
Ryan, Cunningham and Stefanski already faced difficult offseason decisions, including the possible release of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins despite starter Michael Penix Jr.’s uncertain status for the start of the season as he recovers from a knee injury. Pearce's arrest and uncertain legal ramifications add significant difficulty to the challenge of building the team's first winning season and playoff appearance since 2017.
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FILE - Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) dribbles during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Aug. 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
FILE - Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) is interviewed after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
