DORAL, Fla. — NFL star linebacker James Pearce Jr. appeared in Miami-Dade bond court on Sunday via Zoom, accused of attacking WNBA star Rickea Jackson, fleeing police, and crashing before his arrest on Saturday.

Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Jacqueline Woodward presided over the hearing and issued a domestic violence stay-away order, which included staying at least 500 feet away from her home.

“You may not have any contact with Miss Jackson,” Woodward told Pearce.

A defense attorney told Woodward that Pearce planned to return to Atlanta. Woodward asked Pearce if he needed to return to the property in Miami-Dade.

“Judge, I would just leave everything there,” Pearce said. “Whatever is there, if it stays there, it’s fine.”

Doral police officers arrested Pearce at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street, according to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez.

Miami-Dade County corrections booked him at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

In the domestic violence case, Woodward said Pearce faced two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated stalking. His bond was $15,000.

In the case of fleeing, Woodward said Pearce faced one count of fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens. one count of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and one count of resisting an officer without violence. His bond was $5,500.

Records showed Pearce had posted the $20,000 bail.

The Atlanta Falcons picked Pearce during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

“We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time,” a spokesperson for The Falcons wrote in a statement released on Saturday.

Pearce, who had 10.5 sacks during his first year, was the runner-up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Related stories

Miami-Dade judge orders NFL star James Pearce Jr. to stay away from WNBA star Rickea Jackson

About The Author

Magdala Louissaint

Andrea Torres