MIAMI — Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. has agreed to enter a six-month intervention program, to avoid going to trial, following a domestic violence arrest in Doral, Local 10 learned Thursday.
According to ESPN, as part of the deal, Pearce must stay away from his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, and participate in therapy.
The outlet reported that Pearce attended Thursday’s hearing via videoconference.
His next court date to finalize the details of the deal is scheduled for May 7.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office confirmed that the case will remain open until the pre-trial diversion program is completed.
Pearce was arrested in February and charged with three felonies -- aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence. A fourth charge of stalking was brought as a misdemeanor and an additional charge of aggravated battery of an officer was dropped.
According to Doral police, Jackson told authorities she attempted to drive away from Pearce on Feb. 7, and was driving toward the Doral police station to seek help when Pearce “intentionally collided into the rear of her vehicle with his SUV” before police arrived.
Pearce allegedly refused an initial order from police to “get on the floor,” according to details of the arrest in an affidavit. The police account said Pearce then drove away and hit a police officer’s left knee with his vehicle “intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest.”
According to police, Pearce wrecked his vehicle and then continued in his attempt to elude police by running before being apprehended following a “short struggle.”
Jackson, in a petition for protection against Pearce filed in February, expressed fears for her safety that predated the incident for which he was arrested and charged.
“Due to his obsessive, insecure, violent and aggressive behavior, ending the relationship has been difficult and I am afraid for my life,” Jackson said in the petition filed in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County. “James has threatened to kill me, James has threatened to harm me, James has threatened to injure me, James has threatened to place a bag over my head, and James has verbally and physically abused (me).”
Jackson in the petition said Pearce snatched her phone, pulled her hair and took her belongings, at which point she decided to end their relationship.
She described a pattern of harassing behavior leading up to Feb. 7, including Pearce offering her $75,000 to visit him and $200,000 to remain in a relationship with him, according to the petition. Jackson said she was driving when she noticed Pearce following her in his car before he “began driving his vehicle erratically, at high speeds chasing after me.”
Jackson said in the petition she began driving to the Doral Police Department because she feared Pearce would hurt her. She said Pearce repeatedly struck her vehicle with his before she got to the station.
Jackson, 24, is two years into her WNBA career. She said she and Pearce began dating when they were at the University of Tennessee together.
Pearce, 22, was the No. 26 pick in the NFL draft last year. He had 10 1/2 sacks and his 45 quarterback pressures set a Falcons rookie record.
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