Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. is still facing serious legal trouble despite one of the original charges against him being dropped.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has filed three felony charges against the young pass rusher, according to ESPN. Those charges include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence.
Pearce also faces an aggravated stalking charge, though that count has reportedly been reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Initially, the NFL rookie was hit with five felony charges. However, prosecutors have since dropped the charge accusing him of aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer.
The case centers on allegations involving Pearce’s ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Authorities claim that after weeks of alleged harassment and stalking, Pearce followed Jackson in his car as she attempted to drive to a police station. Prosecutors say the situation escalated when Pearce allegedly caused a collision with her vehicle.
According to reports, the incident then led to a police pursuit. Investigators say Pearce eventually crashed his vehicle and tried to flee on foot before officers caught up with him and took him into custody.
Jackson was granted a temporary protective order by a judge after telling the court she feared for her life. A hearing to determine whether a permanent injunction will be issued is scheduled for April 21.
For now, Pearce is prohibited from contacting Jackson or going within 500 feet of her home or workplace. Jackson has also told authorities she is willing to testify in court.
Pearce has denied the allegations. His legal team released a statement saying he “maintains his innocence” and urged the public not to rush to judgment.
“While allegations have the power to shape a narrative, they are hardly the full story,” the statement said.
The Atlanta Falcons have not yet taken disciplinary action against Pearce. After his arrest, the team released a brief statement saying they were gathering more information about the situation.
Pearce was selected by the Falcons with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after two standout seasons at the University of Tennessee, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors.
During his rookie season in the NFL, Pearce recorded 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, finishing third in the voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Jackson, who also attended Tennessee, is entering her third season in the WNBA. She averaged 14.7 points per game during the 2025 season and recently completed her second season playing in the Unrivaled league with Breeze BC.
If convicted on the felony charges, Pearce could face significant prison time as the case moves forward through the courts.