KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE TUESDAY: Misdemeanor citations have been dismissed against University of Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. on payment of costs -- and after he proved he'd gotten a driver's license.
The five traffic-related citations were dismissed Dec. 12 in Knox County General Sessions Court, records show.
Pearce, 20, was charged Dec. 4.
Records show he paid court costs on a speeding ticket as part of the case resolution.
The prosecution said his attorney offered proof that he'd obtained a driver's license, clearing the way for ticket dismissals.
PREVIOUS STORY: A University of Tennessee defensive end is facing misdemeanor traffic charges, according to a warrant.
The warrant states that James Pearce Jr. was driving on Western Avenue at 11th Street around 8:22 a.m. Monday when a Knoxville Police Department officer tracked his car going 63 mph in a 35 mph speed zone, records show. Pearce's Jeep also had an expired North Carolina temporary tag.
When the officer pulled Pearce over, he could not provide any form of identification or proof of car insurance. The officer also learned that Pearce had a suspended license out of North Carolina, according to the warrant.
Pearce was allegedly instructed multiple times to step out of the Jeep and turn it off before he did. While the officer was searching through his vehicle, Pearce was told to stand with another officer. He ignored these instructions and began walking towards his car, the warrant states.
Pearce was then detained. He is charged with expired tags, driving while his license is suspended, not having car insurance, speeding and having too dark of a window tint, according to the warrant.
UT's Athletic Department said it was "aware of the incident involving James Pearce Jr., and is awaiting more information."
Pearce is the third UT football player to recently face traffic misdemeanors. UT Football running back DeSean Bishop and cornerback Doneiko Slaughter were both charged with reckless driving in separate incidents.
UT's Atheltic Department said it was also aware of those two incidents and "handled them internally."
Bishop pleaded guilty, according to records. Slaughter is scheduled to appear in Knox County General Sessions Court on Dec. 6.