The news of Rickea Jackson’s ex-boyfriend, James Pearce Jr.’s arrest, spread quickly as the NFL star rammed a Lamborghini into the WNBA star’s vehicle. With that, there were serious charges against the player that included two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The records also show aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens as charges against the Falcons’ star.
After the arrest, the police presented him to the court the next day. After a detailed hearing, the judge slapped a $20,500 bond and a restraining order to keep him away from the LA Sparks’ star.
Rickea Jackson’s Boyfriend Gets Relief From Court
As the horrific incident took place in Miami, the law enforcement department booked charges into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Centre with the involvement of the Doral police. The authorities received a complaint of a domestic dispute reported between a man and a woman.
As the player tried to run away in his vehicle, police arrested the player after chasing him down. In the Sunday court, the judge neglected his professional and employment status, acknowledged the charges, and granted him a $20,500 bond and a restraining order keeping him away from Jackson.
JUST NOW: James Pearce Jr. made his first court appearance while in a jail cell.
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) February 8, 2026
The judge issued the Atlanta Falcons linebacker a total bond of $20,500 and a stay-away order from the alleged victim. https://t.co/eIcvpoccCL pic.twitter.com/hbwGYs7EgX
Pearce’s attorneys reassured the judge that, because of his NFL employment in Georgia, he will not be in contact with or near Jackson. There have been many charges in the past against the young line breaker. In 2023, police arrested him for traffic violations, including driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone, driving on a suspended license, and failing to follow the officer’s instructions.
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Although the news covered the whole incident, fans were worried about Rickea Jackson and her well-being. There were very few details about her in the coverage, but Falcon’s reporter obtained her statement about the incident, offering another angle on the story.
Rickea Jackson Opens Up On Incident With James Pearce Jr.
According to ESPN’s Falcons beat writer Mark Raimondi, the WNBA star gave a statement to police, saying the duo had been in a relationship for 3 years and had recently broken up. She even blocked his number. The initial interaction between the WNBA player and NFL star, where he sent a message from an alternate number. She asked Pearce Jr to leave her alone. Police have a copy of the texts exchanged. She narrated the complete story to the authorities.
The article on the report reads, “Jackson told police that she saw Pearce following her car in a white Lamborghini SUV on Saturday morning. When Jackson’s car stopped at a red light, Pearce got out of his vehicle and attempted to open her car door on the driver’s side.“
Falcons' Pearce allegedly crashed SUV into WNBA player's car https://t.co/X93w9uPD2E
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) February 9, 2026
“Jackson said Pearce ‘intentionally collided into the rear of her vehicle’ with his SUV. As she got to the intersection near the police station. Jackson said Pearce cut her off with his car, and when she attempted to back out and get away, he used his car to collide with hers head-on,” the article mentions.
Though there is still no update on the player’s whereabouts, Jackson is scheduled to take part in the one-on-one tournament at the Unrivaled.