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NFL star out of Florida jail after alleged domestic dispute with WNBA player

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NFL star out of Florida jail after alleged domestic dispute with WNBA player



The Atlanta Falcons said they are aware of the incident and would not comment at this time following the arrest of James Pearce Jr.

An NFL star was out of jail Monday following his weekend arrest in Florida for his alleged involvement in a domestic dispute, striking a police officer with his vehicle and fleeing police.

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Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. was arrested in Doral on Saturday, Feb. 7. Authorities were called that morning by WNBA player Rickea Jackson, who said Pearce was following her and rammed her vehicle with his, according to the criminal complaint obtained by ESPN from the Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office.

When police arrived, they witnessed Pearce standing outside his SUV. An officer pointed a gun at Pearce and ordered him to get on the floor, but instead, Pearce got in his vehicle and drove away, according to authorities.

The arrest affidavit said while Pearce was driving away, his SUV struck an officer’s left knee intentionally “in an attempt to evade arrest,” according to ESPN.

Police followed Pearce, who crashed his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officers apprehended him. He was taken to a hospital for assessment before being booked into jail where he remained until Sunday night.

What charges does NFL star James Pearce Jr. face?

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  • Two counts of felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon;
  • Felony aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer;
  • Felony fleeing and eluding police with lights and sirens activated;
  • Misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence.

Pearce was released after posting $20,500 bond. His legal team released a statement maintaining his innocence.

“We look forward to working with the State Attorney’s Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth,” Pearce’s legal team Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen said in a statement. “Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story. We look forward to vigorously defending our Client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well.”

What the NFL, Falcons said about James Pearce Jr.’s arrest

“We have been in contact with the club regarding the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said Monday.

The Falcons issued a statement Saturday night saying they were “gathering more information.”

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

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Pearce was runner-up to the Cleveland Browns’ Carson Schwesinger for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after compiling 10.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the 8-9 Falcons. Pearce attended the University of Tennessee before being selected 26th overall by the Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Eric Larsen with USA Today contributed to this.

Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.



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Tiger Woods charged with DUI after rollover crash in Florida

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Tiger Woods charged with DUI after rollover crash in Florida


Tiger Woods showed signs of impairment and was arrested at the scene of a car crash in which he struck another vehicle and rolled his Land Rover.

Tiger Woods was arrested on ‌a DUI charge following a rollover crash in Jupiter Island, ⁠Florida, that ⁠did not cause any significant injuries.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods and the person in the other vehicle were not injured. Woods was able to crawl out of the passenger side of his Land Rover.

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The crash occurred just after 2pm (18:00 GMT), not far from where Woods lives on Jupiter Island. Budensiek said Woods attempted to pass a pressure cleaner truck while driving on a two-lane road. He swerved to avoid a collision as he was passing the truck, but clipped the back end of its trailer. Woods’s vehicle then rolled onto its driver’s side.

Budensiek said investigators at the scene found Woods to be showing signs of impairment. He did a breathalyser test, which came out negative, but he refused to take a urine test. Authorities charged him with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, Budensiek said. Both charges are misdemeanours.

Woods’s manager at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a text message seeking information.

This was at least the third time Woods has been involved in a car crash, most recently in February 2021, when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at high speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries. Woods said later doctors considered amputation.

Woods has played 11 tournaments since that 2021 crash, not finishing closer than within 16 shots of the winner the four times he finished 72 holes.

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He was also arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 when South Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car that was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver’s side. Woods said he had taken a bad mix of painkillers. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

Woods won his fifth Masters and 15th major in 2019. He has 82 wins on the PGA Tour, tied for the all-time record with Sam Snead.

Woods, 50, had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery in September. He had not decided whether he could play in the Masters on April 9-12.

His last official tournament was the British Open in 2024. Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025, and that kept him off the course all season, even before the back surgery. He managed to play in his indoor TGL golf league on Tuesday night.

He has kept deeply involved in PGA Tour affairs as chairman of the Future Competition Committee that is restructuring the model of the tour.

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Woods also faced a soft deadline at the end of the month to decide whether to become the US Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. Woods was offered the job for the last Ryder Cup and did not turn it down until June. The PGA of America wants a decision much sooner this time.



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House ethics panel finds Florida congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 violations

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House ethics panel finds Florida congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 violations


WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee found Friday that Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida had committed numerous violations of House rules and ethics standards, a ruling that could add weight to Republicans’ push to expel her from Congress.

After meeting for over seven hours Thursday night, an ethics panel composed of four Democrats and four Republicans found that Cherfilus-McCormick had committed 25 ethics violations. The panel said it would recommend a punishment in the coming weeks.

The allegations center around her receipt of millions of dollars from her family’s health care business after the state of Florida made an overpayment of roughly $5 million in disaster relief funds. Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of using that money to fund her 2022 congressional campaign through a network of businesses and family members.

The congresswoman, who is running for a fourth term representing a southeastern Florida district, has denied wrongdoing, and her attorney stridently criticized Thursday’s public hearing — the first open proceeding in nearly 15 years. But the ruling from the Ethics Committee could fuel a potential vote on her expulsion and divide a Democratic Caucus that is trying to make a comeback to power in the November elections.

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Cherfilus-McCormick also faces federal charges for allegedly stealing the $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds and using it for purchases like a 3-carat yellow diamond ring. Her brother, former chief of staff and accountant were also charged in the alleged scheme. She pleaded not guilty to those charges, and her attorney indicated Thursday that the trial is expected to start in the coming months.



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Driver arrested after allegedly plowing onto Florida airport tarmac

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Driver arrested after allegedly plowing onto Florida airport tarmac


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