WNBA star Rickea Jackson has been granted a temporary protective order against Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. after filing court documents that describe a series of alleged threats and a dangerous vehicle pursuit earlier this year.
According to court records obtained by ESPN, the Los Angeles Sparks forward requested protection from dating violence, telling the court she feared for her safety following several incidents involving Pearce, her former boyfriend. A Florida judge approved the temporary order and set a hearing for April 21 to decide whether the protection will be made permanent.
Until that hearing takes place, Pearce is barred from contacting Jackson. The order also requires him to remain at least 500 feet away from her home and workplace and at least 100 feet away from her vehicle.
In the petition, Jackson told the court she believed the situation had escalated to the point where her life could be in danger. She wrote that without legal protection, “James will kill me,” while describing what she said were repeated threats and attempts to pressure her to continue the relationship.
Jackson’s filing also claims Pearce tried to persuade her to maintain contact through financial offers. According to the petition, she said he proposed paying her up to $75,000 to visit him and $200,000 if she agreed to stay in the relationship.
The protective order request follows a February 7 incident near Miami that ended with Pearce’s arrest. Jackson said she called 911 after realizing Pearce was following her while she was driving home and told authorities she attempted to reach a police station in Doral because she believed she was in immediate danger.
According to the filing, Pearce allegedly chased her at high speeds, blocked her vehicle at a traffic light, and struck her car several times while attempting to force her off the road.
Police reports state the situation ended near the police station, where Jackson flagged down an officer. Authorities allege Pearce rammed her vehicle again, ignored officers’ commands, and drove away before later striking an officer with his vehicle during the confrontation.
Police say Pearce eventually crashed and attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing law enforcement, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for resisting arrest without violence.
Pearce, 22, recently completed his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 10.5 sacks.
The Falcons previously said the organization is aware of the situation and is gathering information while the legal process continues.
