Former Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr. arrested on domestic violence charges
Published:
Former Tennessee and current Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested Saturday in Florida.
Pearce is facing domestic violence charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (2 counts) and aggravated stalking (1 count), according to Miami-Dade County records. A local news station in South Florida, WPLG Local 10, reported that Pearce was taken into custody after fleeing the scene of a dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
He is also being charged with one count of fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens. Local 10 reported that Pearce crashed his vehicle while attempting to elude police officers in pursuit.
At the time of publication, his bond had not yet been set.
In a statement issued to ESPN, the Falcons declined to comment on the matter.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the statement read. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
Pearce concluded his rookie season with the Falcons earlier this year. He was drafted with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As a first-year defender for Atlanta, he recorded 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 5 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble in 17 appearances. He made 3 starts for Atlanta.
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