Falcons' James Pearce Jr. Arrested on Felony Charges

Atlanta Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday and is facing five felony counts, according to a report by Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Pearce has since posted a $20,500 bond and was scheduled for release.

His case has been assigned to the felony domestic crimes intake unit, and a pre-trial conditional stay-away order has been issued regarding Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson.

Pearce faces charges including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer without violence to his person.

The arrest took place after Pearce crashed his vehicle while attempting to flee from police. Authorities had initially responded to a domestic dispute.

The Falcons organization has released a statement acknowledging awareness of the incident. Pearce, who finished third in defensive rookie of the year voting, may face disciplinary action under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.