Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pierce Jr. was arrested Saturday on a series of domestic violence-related charges, according to Miami-Dade County jail records.
Pierce faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking, fleeing or evading police with lights or sirens, as well as aggravated battery involving a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence to his person. He is being held without bail at Knight Correctional Center in Turner-Guilford.
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Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez said the victim in the case was Los Angeles Sparks star Ricky Jackson, Local 10 News reported. Pierce and Jackson went to Tennessee together and were previously thought to be in a relationship.
Pierce was arrested after police were reportedly dispatched following an argument between a man and a woman. Pierce allegedly fled the scene and crashed his vehicle at the end of the police pursuit, according to reports. A video on social media appeared to show his arrest, in which seven police officers can be seen taking him to the ground and handcuffing him.
The Falcons released a statement confirming they were aware of the incident:
“We are aware of an incident that occurred in Miami involving James Pierce Jr. We are gathering additional information and will not be making any further comment on open legal matters at this time.”
Pierce was selected by the Falcons with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after two All-SEC seasons with the Volunteers. In his rookie season, he totaled 26 tackles, 10 sacks and 10.5 sacks.
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Jackson, a fifth-place WNBA MVP last season, has been playing for the Unrivaled Breeze over the past few weeks. Her team plays Friday in the town of Medley in Miami-Dade County, Florida.