Miami-Dade prosecutors filed four criminal charges Thursday against Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. following his arrest last month. The charges come weeks after a Miami-Dade circuit judge extended a temporary restraining order granted to Pierce’s ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Rickea Jackson told the court Pierce physically abused her and threatened to kill her, including threatening to “put a bag over my head”. In her request, the Los Angeles Sparks forward told the court: “I am truly in fear for my life.”
There are four criminal charges: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, felony fleeing police, felony resisting police with violence and misdemeanor stalking. The aggravated battery charge is for allegedly ramming his car into Jackson’s car, and the stalking charge is for prosecutors saying he followed, harassed or cyberstalked Jackson until he went to the Doral Police Department to seek help, according to charging documents. The other two charges are related to the police chase that followed.
Here’s what Jackson said happened, as described in the restraining order request he later approved:
James Pearce Jr. and I have been in a romantic relationship for the past several years. We started dating when we were in college. I have been trying to end my relationship with James for the past three weeks, but his obsessive, anxious, violent and aggressive behavior has made it difficult for me to end the relationship and I fear for my life.
Prior to the most recent incident, which occurred on February 7, 2026, James had threatened to kill me, James had threatened to harm me, James had threatened to (hurt) me, James had threatened to put a bag over my head, and James had verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion.
About three weeks ago, James became violent because he believed I was having an affair with another man. While at the gas station, James attacked me by taking my phone out of my hand, pulling my hair, and taking my personal belongings. After this attack I told James that I no longer wanted to continue a relationship with him. James did not listen to my requests and instead launched an endless campaign of threats, physical assaults, and abuse against me. I am truly in fear for my life.
For the next three weeks, James harassed me via text messages, constantly demanding that I maintain a relationship with him and that he would not leave me alone. James consistently knocked on my front door multiple times, still stood in front of my house when told to leave, and he even slept in his vehicle while it was parked outside my house waiting for me to leave. James has caused me physical pain and stress and I want him to leave me alone.
In the early morning hours of February 7, 2026, James continued to text me and offered me up to $75,000.00 to visit him. At times, James would offer me up to $200,000 to maintain my relationship with him. James texted me all night long on February 7, 2026, begging me to talk to him, and when I didn’t talk to him, he became violent and threatening.
On February 7, 2026, at approximately 9:12 AM, I was driving home when I saw James following me in his car. Instead of going home, I called 911 and started driving to the Doral police station because I knew James was going to hurt me. James followed me and started driving his car erratically, chasing me at high speeds. When I stopped at the light, James pulled his car in front of mine, blocking my path. James gets out of the car and approaches my vehicle. James then starts banging on my window and demanding I get out of the car. James attempts to enter my vehicle by attempting to open my door. James jumped on top of my vehicle. I continue to drive in fear for my life to get away from James. James then gets back into his vehicle and chases me at high speed. James then used his vehicle to attack my vehicle several times. It looked like James was trying to do a pit maneuver to make my car spin off the road. I continue to drive toward the Doral police station, fearing for my life. While I was driving, James attempted to use his vehicle to stop me, but instead James’ vehicle spun and he apparently lost control of his vehicle. James can drive again and continues to chase me. James proceeded to use his vehicle to crash into my vehicle causing damage to both vehicles. James kicks me out of the street.
I finally got to the police station area and James followed me to one of the police station entrances where the officers were. I attempted to call the officer, but James continued to use his vehicle to attack my vehicle. At this point the police come to my aid while James attacks my vehicle and the police attempt to arrest James. James flees the area to avoid the police.
James is caught by law enforcement and arrested. James was charged with aggravated battery against me, aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding, resisting law enforcement, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
James appears to have an underlying mental disorder and is violent. I fear for my life and I believe James will kill me if this court does not help me with this matter. I am requesting a permanent restraining order against James Pearce Jr.
In his application, Jackson said Pearce had a handgun. A temporary restraining order was issued a few days after Pierce’s arrest. About a week later, Pierce called Jackson, according to court records. Jackson did not respond, but told the court: Circuit Judge Heloiza Correa ordered Jackson’s temporary protective order extended until April 21, when a hearing is scheduled to discuss a permanent restraining order.
It was later revealed that this was not the first time Jackson had turned to law enforcement for help. Earlier this week, ESPN reported that there had been at least seven 911 calls reporting concerns of harassment and stalking involving Pierce. In one incident, police told Pierce to stay away from his ex-girlfriend’s house on Jan. 13, ESPN reported, but police reports related to the phone calls were heavily redacted. After receiving another call on Feb. 2, the security guard told police Pierce was stalking his client.
Pierce is currently out on bail. ESPN reported that Pierce’s legal team said they stand by his initial not guilty statement.
To read the full charging document prepared by prosecutors, click here. To read the full injunction request, click here.
