Gov. Lee gives Jelly Roll news of his official pardon, December 18, 2025, at the Tennessee Residence.Photo: BRANDON HULL, OFFICE OF GOV. BILL LEE
Country star Jelly Roll has received a full pardon from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, officially clearing convictions tied to crimes he committed as a teenager and young adult.
Before finding success in music, Jelly Roll — born Jason DeFord — spent much of his youth moving through juvenile detention centers and adult correctional facilities in Nashville. His offenses, which occurred between ages 14 and 24, included drug-related charges and aggravated robbery. Though he completed his sentences years ago, the convictions continued to limit aspects of his life.
Governor Lee granted executive clemency to 33 individuals on December 18, according to his office, noting that pardons are reserved for people who have served their sentences and demonstrated years of law-abiding behavior. Attorneys David and Ben Raybin confirmed Jelly Roll was among those pardoned.
The decision followed a recommendation made more than a year ago by Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, who urged the governor to consider Jelly Roll’s rehabilitation, advocacy work, and community involvement. The request had reportedly remained under review for months.
While Jelly Roll has not yet publicly commented, he has previously spoken about how a pardon would be transformative — particularly if it sparked broader conversations about how young offenders are treated by the justice system. He has long criticized policies that allow minors to be charged as adults, citing his own experience at age 16 as deeply consequential.
Under Tennessee law, a pardon restores several civil rights, including voting eligibility, jury service, and firearm ownership. Jelly Roll has already regained the ability to travel internationally and recently toured overseas.
In recent years, he has become an outspoken advocate for prison reform, regularly visiting jails and juvenile facilities and helping fund a recording studio at a detention center he once attended. His music frequently reflects themes of accountability and redemption, resonating with fans across genres.
The pardon caps a milestone-filled period for Jelly Roll, who earned a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 in 2024 and was invited earlier this month to join the Grand Ole Opry, cementing his place in country music history.