Prosecutors Make Bombshell Decision On Disturbing Charge Against James Pearce Jr. That Comes With 5 Year Prison Sentence

Pearce was arrested on Feb. 7 and faces multiple charges.

Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. is now facing four charges from a domestic incident involving his ex-girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson.

On Feb. 7, news broke that police arrested James Pearce Jr. in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The 2025 first-round pick reportedly stalked his ex-girlfriend and crashed his vehicle into hers in an effort to stop Rickea Jackson from going to the police station.

Pearce allegedly hit a police officer with his car in an effort to get away. It was also reported that one cop had to draw their gun on Pearce, who was disobeying the officer’s orders. He was eventually taken into custody and hit with five charges.

In a significant update, Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640 South Florida reports that one of the five charges against Pearce Jr., aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, has been dropped.

Prosecutors determined they didn’t have enough evidence against Slater, who could have faced up to five years in prison on that charge.

Four Other Charges Filed Against James Pearce Jr.

James Pearce Jr. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Per Andy Slater, prosecutors charged the 22-year-old Pearce Jr. with the following: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer with violence, fleeing and aggravated stalking.

Atlanta traded up via the Los Angeles Rams to select Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 selection in 2025. He led all rookies with 10.5 sacks, with teammate Jalon Walker a distant second there (5.5 sacks).

Get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google!

But the disturbing charges against Pearce already put his NFL future in doubt. Even if he avoids jail time, there’s a good chance the Falcons will decide to cut ties with him anyway. And of course, there’s no guarantee another team would sign him.