James Pearce Jr. arrested in Florida on felony charges after reported domestic dispute; Falcons say they’re gathering information as case unfolds

Atlanta Falcons rookie pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested Saturday night in Miami-Dade County on multiple felony charges stemming from a reported domestic dispute and a subsequent police chase that ended with a vehicle crash in Doral, Florida. The team said it is aware of the incident and is gathering more information, declining further comment while the legal matter remains open.

Jail records list Pearce facing domestic-violence-related allegations alongside additional charges connected to the pursuit and arrest. Bond had not been set as of late Saturday.

What police and jail records say happened

Authorities say officers were dispatched for a reported dispute involving a male and a female and that Pearce later fled. Police said the incident escalated into a chase and ended when Pearce crashed his vehicle near Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street in Doral before he was taken into custody.

The woman involved in the dispute was identified by the local police chief as WNBA player Rickea Jackson, though no public details about her condition were released in the initial information.

Pearce was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on Saturday evening.

The felony charges Pearce is facing

Online booking information and reporting tied to the arrest list the following charges:

• Two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (domestic violence)

• Aggravated stalking (domestic violence)

• Fleeing or eluding police

• Aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer

• Resisting an officer without violence

The presence of both domestic-violence-related charges and charges tied to flight and interaction with officers broadens the case beyond a single alleged incident and raises the stakes around potential legal exposure.

Falcons statement: “gathering more information”

The Falcons issued a short prepared statement acknowledging the situation and indicating they are collecting details.

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the statement said. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

The team did not address whether Pearce will face internal discipline, whether he will be away from the club, or whether the organization has contacted the league office. Those decisions often depend on additional facts, the initial court process, and guidance from league policies.

Why the case matters for Pearce and the team

Pearce is a premium roster asset for Atlanta, drafted in the first round in 2025 and immediately inserted into a major role as an edge rusher. His rookie season production made him one of the most impactful defensive newcomers in the league, elevating expectations that he would be a foundational piece for the franchise’s pass rush.

Legal trouble of this magnitude can quickly complicate a team’s offseason plans in three ways: availability, cap planning, and optics. Even before any league discipline is considered, the uncertainty around hearings, potential restrictions, and the need for legal preparation can affect training schedules and team planning.

The league’s personal conduct process also tends to move on its own timeline. Discipline is not always immediate, and it can depend on what is established through the legal process, the availability of evidence, and the resolution of charges.

What happens next in the legal process

The next step is typically an initial court appearance in Miami-Dade County, where bond, conditions of release, and future court dates are addressed. At that stage, prosecutors may outline allegations more formally, and defense counsel may begin contesting details or seeking modifications to release conditions.

For now, several important elements remain unclear publicly, including the full arrest report narrative, the alleged sequence leading to the pursuit, and what evidence investigators say supports the domestic-violence-related accusations.

Until those details are released through official documents or court proceedings, the only confirmed framework is the charge list and the basic account of a dispute followed by a chase and crash.

Sources consulted: ESPN, WPLG Local 10, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated