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Marc Raimondi
Multiple Authors
James Pearce Jr., a rookie linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, was taken into custody on Saturday in Florida following an alleged domestic incident involving Los Angeles Sparks player Rickea Jackson, according to police reports.
Pearce faces multiple charges in Miami-Dade County: two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, as well as fleeing and evading police officers, aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest without violence.
Records show Pearce was booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 6:58 p.m. on Saturday.
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez informed WPLG-TV that the incident involved a confrontation between Pearce and Jackson. Lopez stated that Pearce was arrested after attempting to flee the scene and crashed his vehicle during a police pursuit.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the Falcons stated in an official announcement. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will refrain from further comment on this ongoing legal matter.”}
The 22-year-old Pearce was recognized as a frontrunner in the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He achieved 10.5 sacks in the past season, marking the highest tally for a rookie since Micah Parsons in 2024. The Falcons drafted Pearce with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
