Falcons' James Pearce Jr. granted intervention program entry, could avoid trial on felony charges

A imaginable way has emerged to resoluteness Atlanta Falcons walk rusher James Pearce Jr.’s ineligible saga. On Thursday, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist was granted introduction into an involution programme that could let him to debar proceedings connected respective felony charges, his attorney, Yale Sanford, told ESPN.

Pearce faces charges of aggravated artillery with a deadly weapon, fleeing constabulary and resisting arrest, on with misdemeanor stalking tied to a February incidental successful Florida. The stalking complaint stems from alleged events involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA prima Rickea Jackson.

Under the presumption of the involution program, Pearce is prohibited from having carnal interaction with Jackson and indispensable acquisition therapy. The programme is overseen by a 3rd party, not the NFL.

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. warms up earlier the crippled against the New England Patriots astatine Gillette Stadium connected Nov. 2, 2025. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)

Pearce has a tribunal quality aboriginal adjacent period to finalize the details. Under Florida law, Jackson and the officers progressive person the close to beryllium consulted earlier the statement is finalized.

A authorities attorney’s spokesperson said Jackson and instrumentality enforcement officers were consulted and that "all parties consented" to pretrial involution arsenic "the champion mode forward."

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The adjunct authorities lawyer connected the lawsuit said Pearce’s presumption arsenic a first-time offender was taken into consideration, adding that "it appears this incidental was borne retired of a intelligence wellness crisis." Pearce does not person a past of violence.

Pearce indispensable proceed treatment, taxable to random cause tests and travel the NFL’s investigating protocol. Any failed oregon missed trial could outgo him his spot successful the pretrial involution program, and helium indispensable besides constitute a missive apologizing to instrumentality enforcement, the spokesperson added.

The squad declined to remark connected the latest development, citing the ongoing ineligible matter, ESPN reported. Attorneys for Jackson could not beryllium instantly reached for comment.

Pearce is accused of ramming his luxury SUV into a conveyance driven by Jackson connected Feb. 7 successful Doral, Florida. He past allegedly fled from constabulary arsenic they attempted to apprehension him.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. is interviewed aft an NFL crippled against the New Orleans Saints successful Atlanta connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Danny Karnik/AP)

Pearce allegedly tailed Jackson and repeatedly struck her conveyance arsenic she drove toward the Doral constabulary station. He spent a nighttime successful jailhouse earlier his merchandise the adjacent time connected $20,500 bond.

In February, Jackson told the tribunal she was consenting to testify.

The tribunal granted the extortion petition and scheduled a May 21 proceeding connected a imperishable injunction. The bid prohibits Pearce from contacting Jackson, coming wrong 500 feet of her location oregon workplace, oregon wrong 100 feet of her vehicle.

Rickea Jackson said she is consenting to attest against James Pearce Jr. pursuing an alleged home dispute. (Andrew J. Clark/Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

After reaching an agreement, Pearce’s attorneys said the result allows him to determination guardant without further ineligible action.

"This solution allows the substance to beryllium addressed and afloat resolved without further litigation, and helium is committed to gathering each conditions. James is focused connected moving forward, rejoining his teammates and the Atlanta Falcons enactment arsenic a whole, performing astatine the highest level, and continuing to beryllium a squad subordinate connected and disconnected the field," the connection read.

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Also connected Thursday, a spokesperson for the NFL confirmed that the league has been "closely monitoring each developments successful the matter, which remains nether reappraisal of the idiosyncratic behaviour policy."

Pearce acceptable the Falcons’ rookie sack grounds with 10.5 past season. The Los Angeles Sparks traded Jackson to the Chicago Sky earlier this month.

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