The Falcons finished 8–9 and saw promising production from their rookie class, but one of those players now faces serious legal trouble. First-round pick James Pearce Jr. was arrested Saturday night in Florida in connection with a reported domestic dispute involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Police stated the 22-year-old linebreaker is facing multiple felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding police with lights or sirens, and resisting an officer without violence.
New bodycam footage of the arrest is public now, which is giving the NFL fanbase an idea of how chaotic Pearce’s arrest was.
Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. fights like it’s game day against cops in a new footage
Pearce reportedly crashed his vehicle at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street following a police chase. The alternate angle of the scene footage captured just how much force was required to subdue the 6-foot-5, 243-pound former Tennessee Volunteers standout.
Pearce resisted arrest with the same intensity he brought to the pass rush all season, requiring over seven officers to wrestle him to the ground and get him in cuffs. Folks on the internet are saying it is the same traits that helped him rack up 10.5 sacks as a rookie.
According to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, officers were dispatched to the police station for a reported domestic dispute between Pearce and Jackson. When cops arrived, Pearce bolted from the scene, leading to a chase that ended with him crashing. And his trainer officers were having a hard time locking Pearce.
#News – Video captured in Doral on Saturday shows a tense arrest following an alleged domestic dispute, according to police.
Doral Police said officers responded to reports of a man and woman involved in a domestic dispute at the police station. When officers arrived, the… pic.twitter.com/DDIQrgvN3K
— ONLY in DADE (@ONLYinDADE) February 7, 2026
Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, often involving using a vehicle as a weapon, is quite serious. And the charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer indicates Pearce physically confronted at least one officer during the arrest. Along with the domestic violence-related charges, he faces significant prison time if convicted.
Pearce posted $20,500 bond Sunday and was slapped with a stay-away order barring contact with Jackson. Per NBC News, his attorney Jacob Nunez claimed Pearce “maintains his innocence” and that “allegations have the power to shape a narrative” that isn’t the “full, complete story.”
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The Falcons issued a boilerplate statement: “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.”
Pearce’s rookie campaign was solid. The 26th overall pick set a new Falcons franchise record for sacks by a rookie in the modern era and was the highest total for an NFL rookie since Micah Parsons (13.5) in 2021. He finished third in the 2025 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
However, team practices are not scheduled to begin until after the 2026 NFL draft. And with the Super Bowl over and every team now in the offseason, his felony charges are unlikely to affect day-to-day plans in the short term.
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