Falcons Defender James Pearce Jr. Arrested After Police Chase

Pearce faces five felony charges following alleged domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Florida on Saturday after an alleged domestic dispute with Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson. Pearce is facing five felony charges and is currently being held on $20,500 bond in Miami-Dade County.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about off-field behavior and legal troubles for professional athletes, which can have significant impacts on their careers and public image. Domestic violence cases in sports have been a major issue in recent years, and this case will likely face close scrutiny.

The details

According to reports, Pearce was involved in an alleged domestic dispute with Jackson, his girlfriend, which led to a police chase. Pearce is now facing five felony charges, though the specific details of the charges have not been made public. He is currently being held on $20,500 bond and has been assigned to the felony domestic crimes intake unit.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

James Pearce Jr.

A rookie linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons who was arrested in Florida following an alleged domestic dispute.

Rickea Jackson

A forward for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, who was allegedly involved in the domestic dispute with Pearce.

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What they’re saying

“James Pearce Jr. is facing five felonies, per court records. He is currently being held in Miami-Dade County on $20,500 bond and assigned to the felony domestic crimes intake unit. Pearce was also given a pre-trial conditional stay-away order with regards to WNBA player Rickea Jackson.”

— Marc Raimondi, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The judge will determine if Pearce will be granted bail at a hearing in the coming days.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence in professional sports and the need for stronger accountability and support systems to address these types of incidents involving athletes.