Rickea Jackson & James Pearce Jr.: Felony Charges and Protective Order

The Rickea Jackson and James Pearce Jr. case began on February 7, 2026, when Pearce, an Atlanta Falcons defensive end, was arrested in Doral, Florida, after allegedly ramming Jackson’s car twice and striking a police officer with his vehicle. Jackson, a Chicago Sky forward and Pearce’s former girlfriend, obtained a protective order two days later. In April 2026, Pearce entered a one-year pretrial intervention program that will result in the dismissal of all charges if he completes it without violations.¹

What Happened on February 7, 2026

Jackson noticed Pearce’s white Lamborghini SUV following her the morning of February 7 in Doral.² When she stopped at a red light near Northwest 102nd Avenue and 74th Street, police said Pearce got out and tried to open her driver’s side door. Jackson drove off, called 911, and headed for the Doral Police Department.³

According to police, Pearce chased her at high speed and rear-ended her vehicle. Near the station he cut her off, and when she reversed to get away he struck her car head-on. Jackson flagged down an officer while Pearce was allegedly still ramming the car. She later wrote in her protective order petition that she drove to the station “because I knew James was going to hurt me.”⁴

Officers drew their weapons and ordered Pearce to the ground, but he got back into the Lamborghini and drove off, striking an officer in the knee as he fled.² A police chase ended when his vehicle crashed at Northwest 102nd Path and Northwest 65th Lane. He tried to run before officers took him into custody after a brief struggle.³

Jackson alleged in court filings that in the hours before the incident, Pearce had offered her $75,000 to visit him and $200,000 to remain in a relationship with him.⁵

The Charges

Pearce, then 22, was initially booked on five felony counts: two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. He also faced a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer without violence and nine traffic citations. He spent one night in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and was released February 8 on $20,500 bond.⁶⁷

On March 13, 2026, the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office formally filed a reduced slate: three felonies (aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence) and one misdemeanor. The aggravated stalking count was downgraded to a misdemeanor, and the charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer was dropped.⁸

Jackson’s Protective Order and Allegations

On February 9, 2026, Jackson filed a petition for an injunction for protection against dating violence in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County. Judge Heloiza Correa granted the initial request that day. Pearce was barred from any contact with Jackson and required to stay at least 500 feet from her home and workplace and 100 feet from her vehicle.⁹

In the petition, Jackson wrote that she was “in fear of my life” and believed that without court intervention, “James will kill me.” She described his behavior as “obsessive, insecure, violent and aggressive” and said he had threatened to kill and harm her, including a threat to place a bag over her head.¹⁰

Jackson and Pearce had dated roughly three years, beginning when both were student-athletes at the University of Tennessee. She said the relationship turned volatile in January 2026 after Pearce suspected her of infidelity, and that she had tried to end it in the weeks before his arrest. A January confrontation turned physical, she said, when Pearce took her phone, pulled her hair, and snatched her belongings. She also alleged he repeatedly banged on her front door and slept in his car outside her home.⁵

The Pretrial Intervention Program

On April 23, 2026, Pearce agreed to enter a Florida pretrial intervention program. The agreement involves no admission of guilt and no jail time. If Pearce completes the program without violations, the state will dismiss all felony and misdemeanor charges.¹¹ According to NBC News, the agreement was reached in consultation with the city of Doral and with Jackson.¹

The conditions require Pearce to stay away from Jackson, undergo therapy, avoid further legal trouble, submit to random drug testing, and write a letter of apology to law enforcement.¹² The program was originally set for six months but was extended to one year at the state’s request. No specific reason for the extension has been publicly reported.¹³

What Each Side Has Said

Jackson filed a notice asserting victims’ rights on February 10, 2026, stating she “remains cooperative and willing to testify at trial, if one is necessary” and asking the court to allocate “all possible resources and personnel” to resolve the case quickly. Her name was included in court documents with her approval.¹⁴

Pearce’s attorneys maintained his innocence, saying they looked forward to “working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth” and urging the public to recognize that “while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story.”¹⁵

NFL and Falcons Response

The NFL said in February 2026 that it would review Pearce’s case under the personal conduct policy and was “closely monitoring all developments.” The baseline punishment under that policy for conduct involving domestic violence or assault is a six-game suspension, with a longer ban possible if aggravating factors exist. As of late May 2026, the Falcons had received no update from the league, and no discipline had been imposed.¹⁶

The Falcons did not issue a formal public statement. General manager Ian Cunningham said on April 20 that there was “no update” and that “everything is status quo.” Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed on April 8 that Pearce was not at the team’s voluntary offseason program.¹ Pearce was present at the team’s mandatory minicamp in mid-June 2026.¹¹

1
NBC News. Falcons Defender James Pearce Domestic Violence
2
NBC Miami. Falcons Star James Pearce Intentionally Rammed WNBA Star’s Car Twice, Hit Officer
3
Local 10 News. NFL’s James Pearce Jr. Crashed Into WNBA Star’s Car Twice as He Stalked Her After Breakup
4
Los Angeles Times. Sparks’ Rickea Jackson Files for Protective Order Against Falcons’ James Pearce
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ESPN. WNBA Player Rickea Jackson Filed Petition for Protective Order vs. Falcons’ James Pearce Jr.
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ESPN. Cops Responded to Multiple 911 Calls Before James Pearce Jr. Arrest
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The Athletic. James Pearce Jr. Falcons Charged With Battery
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ESPN. Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Charged With 3 Felonies, Misdemeanor
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WSB-TV. Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. Faces Felony Charges; WNBA Player Rickea Jackson Gets Protection Order
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WVLT. Rickea Jackson Filed Protective Order Against James Pearce Saying She Fears for Her Life
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NFL.com. James Pearce Jr. Falcons Intervention Program
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The Athletic. James Pearce, Rickea Jackson Charges Dropped Intervention Program
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NBC Sports. James Pearce Jr. Accepts One-Year Diversion Program to Have Charges Dropped
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Yahoo Sports. Rickea Jackson Willing to Testify vs. James Pearce Jr.
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AP News. Falcons Pearce Arrest
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Sports Illustrated. Atlanta Falcons Receive Update on James Pearce Investigation