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Tennessee governor pardons Jelly Roll for his criminal past

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Published  December 18, 2025 4:08pm EST
Entertainment
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The Brief

    • Gov. Bill Lee pardoned Jelly Roll (Jason Deford) for past robbery and drug convictions.
    • The pardon follows a unanimous recommendation from the state parole board and was one of 33 clemency actions issued, serving as a formal act of forgiveness rather than relief from incarceration.
    • Jelly Roll said the pardon will ease international travel and missionary work.

NASHVILLE - Tennessee’s governor has pardoned country star Jelly Roll for his criminal past in the state. 

The rapper-turned-singer, whose legal name is Jason Deford, has spoken openly for years about his redemption arc. 

Jelly Roll pardoned by Tennessee governor

Big picture view:

Republican Gov. Bill Lee issued his pardon, acknowledging the Nashville native's long road back from drugs and prison through soul-searching, songwriting and advocacy for second chances.

Friends and civic leaders gathered to support the Grammy-nominated musician.

Jelly Roll's convictions include robbery and drug felonies. Jelly Roll's most serious convictions include a robbery at age 17 and drug charges at 23. In the first case, a female acquaintance helped Jelly Roll and two armed accomplices steal $350 from people in a home in 2002. 

Jelly Roll performs during WWE SummerSlam 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Credit: WWE/Getty Images)

Because the victims knew the female acquaintance, she and Jelly Roll were arrested right away. Jelly Roll was unarmed, and was sentenced to one year in prison plus probation.

In another run-in 2008, police found marijuana and crack cocaine in his car, leading to eight years of court-ordered supervision.

Jelly Roll has said a pardon would make it easier for him to travel internationally for concert tours and to perform Christian missionary work without requiring burdensome paperwork.

He was one of 33 people to receive pardons Thursday from Lee, who for years has issued clemency decisions around the Christmas season. 

What they're saying:

Lee said Jelly Roll’s application underwent the same monthslong thorough review as other applicants. The state parole board gave a nonbinding, unanimous recommendation for Jelly Roll's pardon in April.

"His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for," Lee told reporters, adding he hopes to meet Jelly Roll for the first time soon.

Tennessee pardons explained

Dig deeper:

Unlike recent high-profile federal pardons, which let people off the hook for prison, a pardon in Tennessee serves as a statement of forgiveness for someone who has already completed a prison sentence and been released. 

Pardons offer a path to get certain civil rights restored, such as the right to vote, although there are some limitations under state law.

Jelly Roll broke into country music with the 2023 album "Whitsitt Chapel" and crossover songs like "Need a Favor." He has won multiple CMT Awards, a CMA Award and also picked up seven career Grammy nominations, three of them recently.

The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed.

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