More details have emerged regarding the recent arrest of Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr., who has professed innocence through his lawyer.
Via Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, Rickea Jackson of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks had been trying to end a relationship with Pearce. Jackson told police that, on Saturday morning, she saw Pearce approaching her vehicle in a white Lamborghini SUV. When she stopped at a red light, Pearce got out and tried to open the door to her car.
She drove away, heading toward a police station. He got back inside his vehicle and chased her. Jackson said Pearce rammed his SUV into the rear end of her car. After she tried to drive away, he allegedly drove head-on into her vehicle.
When police responded to the crime scene, they saw Pearce standing outside his car, door open. When an officer pulled his gun and ordered Pearce to get on the ground, Pearce got back inside closed the door. The officer opened the door. Pearce pulled it shut and locked it.
Pearce then drove away, striking the officer in the knee.
Police chased Pearce until his SUV crashed. He got out and ran. Officers caught him, and he allegedly continued to resist arrest.
Pearce faces five felony counts and a misdemeanor charge.
“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” Pearce’s lawyers said in a statement issued to Raimondi. “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.”
The NFL separately said the situation will be reviewed under the Personal Conduct Policy.
Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. faces five felony counts after his arrest Saturday, Marc Raimondi of ESPN reports.
Pearce posted $20,500 bond and will be released “sometime today,” a Miami-Dade corrections official told Raimondi.
Pearce’s case was assigned to the felony domestic crimes intake unit, and he was given a pre-trial conditional stay-away order with regard to Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson, per Raimondi.
He faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a count of aggravated stalking. Pearce is also charged with fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence to his person.
Pearce crashed his vehicle after fleeing from police, who were called to a domestic dispute.
The Falcons issued a statement saying they are “aware of the incident.”
Pearce, who finished third in defensive rookie of the year voting, is subject to discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The Falcons say they are in the midst of gathering information after pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. 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’s statement said.
Pearce was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing police. According to police, they were dispatched to a call of a domestic dispute when Pearce fled the area and led them on a chase that resulted in Pearce crashing his car.
Pearce was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
After the Falcons traded up in the first round to draft Pearce last year, he played in all 17 games as a rookie and recorded 10.5 sacks. He finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
In addition to criminal charges, Pearce will face an investigation under the NFL’s personal conduct policy that could lead to a suspension.
Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing police.
Local10.com reports that Pearce was arrested Saturday after fleeing when police were called to a domestic dispute and crashing his vehicle during the ensuing police chase.
Pearce was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. His bond has not yet been set.
The Falcons traded up to draft Pearce with the 26th overall pick last year, and he had an excellent rookie season, finishing with 10.5 sacks and coming in third place in defensive rookie of the year voting.
In addition to the criminal case he’s now facing, Pearce will be subject to league discipline under the personal conduct policy.
An offseason of major changes in Atlanta will include the departure of Ryan Pace.
The Falcons and Pace have parted ways, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Pace had spent the last four years with the Falcons, and his most recent title was vice president of football operations and player personnel. But in an offseason when Matt Ryan has taken over the front office and General Manager Terry Fontenot was fired, Pace no longer has a place in the front office.
The 48-year-old Pace is best known for working as GM of the Bears from 2015 to 2021. Before that he spent 14 years with the Saints.
