Rickea Jackson, a WNBA player, has filed a petition for protection against James Pearce Jr., an edge rusher for the Atlanta Falcons.
Jackson stated she was “in fear of my life” and believed that without court intervention, “James will kill me”, according to court documents. The petition follows Pearce’s arrest on battery and stalking charges.
Details of the Protective Order
Jackson, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, filed the petition for injunction for protection against dating violence after Pearce’s arrest. The arrest stemmed from an incident on February 7 where he allegedly rammed his car into hers. Jackson also filed notice with the court that she was willing to testify in proceedings against Pearce.
The court granted Jackson’s initial request for protection. A permanent injunction hearing is scheduled for April 21. Pearce is under order to refrain from contacting Jackson and must stay at least 500 feet away from her home or workplace, and 100 feet from her vehicle.
Allegations of Abuse
Jackson wrote that Pearce “verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion”. She also alleged he threatened to kill, harm, and injure her, and to place a bag over her head, according to the court filing.
The February 7th Incident
Jackson detailed the February 7 incident that led to Pearce’s arrest. She stated that she saw Pearce following her in his vehicle as she drove home and called 911. Instead of going home, she drove to a Doral, Florida, police station “because I knew James was going to hurt me.”
She said Pearce chased her at high speeds and blocked her with his car at a traffic light, trying to enter her car and jumping on top of the vehicle. He then reentered his vehicle and chased her car, striking her car multiple times to get her to spin out. She said he cut her off with his vehicle and eventually spun out himself.
Jackson said Pearce ran her off the road before she reached the Doral police station. Upon reaching the station, she flagged down an officer as Pearce rammed her car with his. It is then she says the officer attempted to arrest Pearce, who left the scene. The initial incident report stated that police pulled a gun on Pearce and he did not obey their commands, instead getting back into his car.
Pearce then allegedly struck a police officer with his car, according to the initial incident report, before he crashed his vehicle and ran but was eventually arrested by officers.
Charges Against Pearce
Pearce, 22, faces five felony charges. These include two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police officers, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.
He also faces nine traffic citations and a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer without violence to her person.
Jackson’s Fear and Alleged Offers
Jackson, 24, wrote that she became more afraid for her safety after trying to break up with Pearce weeks before his arrest. She also said Pearce told her he would give her “up to $75,000” to visit with him and “$200,000 to remain in a relationship with him” in the hours leading up to the Feb. 7 incident.
The Falcons declined to comment.