James Pearce Jr.’s arrest for a variety of domestic violence-related charges in February seemed to come out of nowhere. But thanks to detailed reporting from Marc Raimondi and former Falcons beat writer Mike Rothstein at ESPN
, we now know it didn’t.WNBA player Rickea Jackson, Pearce’s former girlfriend, made at least seven 911 calls about Pearce in the weeks leading up to his arrest because she was fearful for her safety due to alleged stalking, threats, harassment, and a concern that Pearce had
tried to illegally enter her residence.
Per the report:
- On Nov. 24, 2025, the day after the Falcons played the Saints in New Orleans, police responded to a domestic disturbance around 11 p.m. ET. Jackson told law enforcement Pearce had come to her home, knocked on the door and called a landline several times.
- On Nov. 25, 2025, Jackson called again, stating that Pearce’s father had warned her that Pearce was planning to return to her residence. She left the home for the evening because she did not feel safe.
- Pearce was told by law enforcement on or about Jan. 13, 2026 that he was “advised not to return to the residence.”
- On Jan. 28, 2026, officers responded to a reported burglary in process, with the resident identifying Pearce as the perpetrator. Jackson told officers she was fearful of Pearce after he’d damaged the door to her home trying to gain entry.
- Police responded to another domestic disturbance call on Feb. 1, 2026, though redactions on the police report made it difficult to ascertain what actually happened here.
- On Feb. 2, police returned to the residence and were told by a security guard that Pearce had been “stalking” Jackson and had been seen near her residence on multiple occasions over the preceding days.
- Pearce was arrested and charged on Feb. 7, 2026.
The Falcons have not commented on this situation beyond their initial “gathering information” response after Pearce was arrested and charged. The NFL has said that the incident will be reviewed under its personal conduct policy, which requires a mandatory minimum six-game suspension for violence against women or children. The league generally waits for the legal process to play out before making a determination on discipline.
Pearce’s attorneys maintain his innocence, while Jackson’s attorneys have said she is prepared to testify against him should this go to trial.
Pearce is currently facing five felony charges related to the incident: two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police officers, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. He also faces nine separate traffic violations and a misdemeanor charge for resisting an officer without violence to his or her person.
