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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. now faces three felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Pearce was arrested Feb. 7 after fleeing officers and then crashing his car.
In court documents filed Friday, Pearce was charged with felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing or eluding police with lights or sirens activated and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of stalking.
RELATED: Falcons rookie Pearce arrested after what police say was a domestic dispute with WNBA player
An additional felony charge of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer was dropped.
According to a police report, Pearce was driving a Lamborghini when officers stopped him. Police said he ignored multiple commands to exit the vehicle and eventually sped away, striking an officer “in the area of his left knee intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest.” Pearce later crashed the vehicle and fled on foot.
The report said Jackson told police she had ended her three-year relationship with Pearce and blocked his phone number, after which he continued contacting her from a different number.
RELATED: Rickea Jackson filed for protective order against James Pearce, saying she fears for her life
“While officers were attempting to apprehend the defendant, the defendant began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him,” the report said. “After a short struggle, the defendant was taken into custody shortly after.”
Jackson filed a petition for protection against Pearce, expressing fears about her safety.
“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.”
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.
RELATED: Falcons face new questions about James Pearce Jr.’s future with the team as he faces charges
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 and “began driving his vehicle erratically, at high speeds chasing after me.”
Jackson said in the petition she began driving to the Doral police station because she feared Pearce would hurt her. She said Pearce repeatedly struck her vehicle with his before getting to the station.
“I am in fear of my life and I believe, if this court does not assist me with this issue, James will kill me,” Jackson said in the documents.
Attorney Jacob Nunez has said Pearce “maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story.”
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