Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. arrested on domestic violence charges after crash in police chase
Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. was arrested Saturday on a series of domestic violence-related charges, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.
Pearce faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon as well as aggravated stalking, fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren, aggravated battery involving a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence to his person. He was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with no bond currently set.
According to Local 10 News, Pearce was arrested after officers were dispatched for a dispute between a man and woman. Pearce is reportedly alleged to have fled the scene and crashed his vehicle at the end of a police chase. There is video on social media that appears to show his arrest, in which seven officers can be seen wrestling him to the ground and putting him in handcuffs.
The Falcons released a statement confirming they are aware of the incident:
We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. 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 was selected 26th overall by the Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft after two first-team All-SEC seasons with Tennessee. He posted 26 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in his rookie year and finished in third place for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.