MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. has learned the charges filed against him for a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Pearce is accused of repeatedly ramming his car into Jackson’s car as she drove to a police station in Miami area on Feb. 7.
Court records show the Miami-Dade State Attorney filed the following charges against Pearce on Thursday: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (felony); fleeing and eluding police (felony); resisting an officer with violence (felony); and stalking (misdemeanor). An additional charge of aggravated battery of an officer was dropped.
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In addition to the charges, ESPN and the Associated Press reports that a court granted Jackson a protection order against Pearce. In her petition, Jackson said that she feared for her life.
"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. “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.”
The temporary protection order states Pearce can’t contact Jackson or come within 500 feet of her home or place of employment or 100 feet of her car. A hearing is scheduled for April 21.
Pearce’s attorneys have not commented on Thursday’s charges, but have previously maintained his innocence.
ESPN and Associated Press contributed to this report.
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