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Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce, a former University of Tennessee football star, was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor in Miami-Dade County over a domestic incident on Feb. 7 involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson, a former Lady Vols star.
On March 12, the Florida State Attorney’s office in Miami-Dade County filed charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence, as well as a misdemeanor charge of stalking.
Pearce originally faced charges of aggravated battery of an officer and aggravated stalking. But those additional charges were dropped.
Pearce, 22, was arrested in Doral, Florida on Feb. 7. He crashed his vehicle during a police pursuit while fleeing a domestic dispute involving Jackson, his former girlfriend, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by Knox News. He posted bond of $20,500.
Pearce was an All-SEC player at UT, a first-round pick of the Falcons and runner-up to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025. Jackson was an All-SEC player, a first-round pick of Los Angeles Sparks and a member of the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie team.
Pearce and Jackson had previously been in a relationship, which included their time together at Tennessee. But she told police that their relationship had recently ended.
On March 11, Jackson filed a petition for protection against Pearce, saying "James will kill me," if the court doesn't intervene, according to an ESPN report citing court documents.
“Due to his obsessive, insecure, violent and aggressive behavior, ending the relationship has been difficult and I am afraid for my life,” Jackson said in the petition filed Miami-Dade County court. "James has threatened to kill me, James has threatened to harm me, James has threatened to injure me, James has threatened to place a bag over my head, and James has verbally and physically abused.”
The court granted Jackson's request for protection. A permanent injunction hearing is set for April 21. Pearce is under order not to contact Jackson or come within 500 feet of her home or place of employment or within 100 feet of her vehicle.
Jackson also filed a separate notice with the court on Feb. 10 that she is "willing to testify" against Pearce, according to a court filing obtained by Knox News.
On Feb. 7, Jackson told police that Pearce followed her car in a white Lamborghini SUV, according to the police report obtained by Knox News. At a red light, he got out of his vehicle and tried to open her car door.
Jackson drove away and toward the Doral Police Department. She told police that Pearce followed, initially collided with the rear of her car and then later struck her car head-on as she attempted to get away.
Doral police responded to Jackson's call for help. An officer drew a gun on Pearce and ordered him to get on the ground. Instead, Pearce re-entered his car and closed the door. An officer opened the door, but Pearce shut it again and drove away. His SUV struck an officer in the knee while evading arrest.
Police said Pearce crashed his car and fled on foot. Officers caught up to Pearce, but he resisted arrest.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: James Pearce charged with felonies; Rickea Jackson says he threatened her
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On March 12, the Florida State Attorney’s office in Miami-Dade County filed charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence, as well as a misdemeanor charge of stalking.
Pearce originally faced charges of aggravated battery of an officer and aggravated stalking. But those additional charges were dropped.
Pearce, 22, was arrested in Doral, Florida on Feb. 7. He crashed his vehicle during a police pursuit while fleeing a domestic dispute involving Jackson, his former girlfriend, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by Knox News. He posted bond of $20,500.
In court filing, Rickea Jackson said 'James will kill me'
Pearce was an All-SEC player at UT, a first-round pick of the Falcons and runner-up to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025. Jackson was an All-SEC player, a first-round pick of Los Angeles Sparks and a member of the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie team.
Pearce and Jackson had previously been in a relationship, which included their time together at Tennessee. But she told police that their relationship had recently ended.
On March 11, Jackson filed a petition for protection against Pearce, saying "James will kill me," if the court doesn't intervene, according to an ESPN report citing court documents.
“Due to his obsessive, insecure, violent and aggressive behavior, ending the relationship has been difficult and I am afraid for my life,” Jackson said in the petition filed Miami-Dade County court. "James has threatened to kill me, James has threatened to harm me, James has threatened to injure me, James has threatened to place a bag over my head, and James has verbally and physically abused.”
The court granted Jackson's request for protection. A permanent injunction hearing is set for April 21. Pearce is under order not to contact Jackson or come within 500 feet of her home or place of employment or within 100 feet of her vehicle.
Jackson also filed a separate notice with the court on Feb. 10 that she is "willing to testify" against Pearce, according to a court filing obtained by Knox News.
What happened that led to James Pearce arrest
On Feb. 7, Jackson told police that Pearce followed her car in a white Lamborghini SUV, according to the police report obtained by Knox News. At a red light, he got out of his vehicle and tried to open her car door.
Jackson drove away and toward the Doral Police Department. She told police that Pearce followed, initially collided with the rear of her car and then later struck her car head-on as she attempted to get away.
Doral police responded to Jackson's call for help. An officer drew a gun on Pearce and ordered him to get on the ground. Instead, Pearce re-entered his car and closed the door. An officer opened the door, but Pearce shut it again and drove away. His SUV struck an officer in the knee while evading arrest.
Police said Pearce crashed his car and fled on foot. Officers caught up to Pearce, but he resisted arrest.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: James Pearce charged with felonies; Rickea Jackson says he threatened her
Continue reading...
