Atlanta Falcons guard James Pearce was charged Thursday with three felonies and one misdemeanor by the Miami-Dade (Fla.) State’s Attorney for a Feb. 7 incident involving WNBA player Rikea Jackson, according to district court documents.
Pearce, 22, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence, as well as aggravated robbery.
He originally faced another charge of aggravated assault and a charge of aggravated robbery, which were dropped.
Jackson, Pearce’s ex-girlfriend, told police she tried to drive away from Pearce and was driving to the Doral police station when Pearce “intentionally” crashed into her vehicle.
Pearce allegedly refused an initial order from police to “get on the floor” after officers responded to a domestic call. Pearce then drove away and intentionally struck an officer’s leg to avoid arrest, police said.
Pearce, police said, then drove his vehicle and attempted to elude police on foot before being arrested.
Pearce was released from custody Feb. 8 on $20,500 bail.
After Pearce’s arrest, the Falcons released a statement that read: “We are gathering more information and will not comment further on an open legal matter at this time.”
Pearce was selected with 26i.e overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He was the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 26 tackles and 10.5 sacks.