Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Arrested in Florida on Battery and Stalking Charges
James Pearce Jr. arrest Florida battery charges February 2026
Atlanta Falcons standout rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on the evening of Saturday, February 7, 2026, following a violent domestic dispute and a subsequent high-speed police chase. Pearce, 22, faces a litany of serious felony charges including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens. According to arrest reports from the Doral Police Department, the incident began as a domestic altercation between Pearce and his ex-girlfriend, Rickea Jackson, a star forward for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Pearce is accused of intentionally ramming his Lamborghini into Jackson’s vehicle multiple times in an attempt to prevent her from reaching a police station to report his conduct.
The situation escalated when Pearce allegedly fled the scene as officers arrived, leading law enforcement on a pursuit that ended when he crashed his luxury vehicle. In addition to the domestic violence-related charges, Pearce is facing counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center late Saturday night, where records indicate he was held without bond pending an initial court appearance. The Atlanta Falcons released a brief statement on Sunday morning, acknowledging they are aware of the “legal matter” and are in the process of gathering more information while declining further comment.
This arrest comes just 48 hours after Pearce was celebrated at the NFL Honors ceremony, where he finished third in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Selected 26th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee, Pearce was the centerpiece of a transformed Falcons defense, leading the team with 10.5 sacks and setting a franchise rookie record with 45 quarterback pressures. His on-field success had made him a burgeoning face of the franchise, but these legal developments now cast a significant shadow over his professional future. League sources suggest that Pearce could face an indefinite suspension under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, which mandates a baseline six-game ban for incidents involving domestic violence or felony battery.
The WNBA has also issued a statement regarding Rickea Jackson, noting that the league is in contact with the Los Angeles Sparks to ensure the player’s safety and well-being. Jackson, a former standout at Tennessee alongside Pearce, was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and had recently completed a stellar sophomore season. As the investigation continues, legal experts suggest that the additional charges of fleeing and battery on a law enforcement officer could significantly complicate Pearce’s defense and potential plea negotiations. The Falcons, who recently hired a new coaching staff and general manager, now face a major organizational crisis involving their most promising young defensive star just as the 2026 offseason begins.
