Inside Jelly Roll’s convictions as he’s pardoned for past drug and theft charges

Jelly Roll has been pardoned for his previous robbery and drug convictions.

As multiple outlets have reported, Jelly Roll, 41, was granted executive clemency this Thursday by Governor Bill Lee in Nashville.

Jason DeFord, also known by his stage name Jelly Roll, was among 33 individuals who were granted executive clemency by the Governor.

"After thoroughly reviewing the merits of each case, I have decided to grant 33 individuals executive clemency, each individual case is unique and warranted consideration, and I thank the Board of Parole members for their thoughtful recommendations throughout this process,” shared the Governor.

For the unversed, Jelly Roll was convicted of robbery at 17 and drug charges at 23. He was sentenced to a year in prison along with probation for the first case. For the drug charges, the Grammy-nominated singer was ordered eight years of supervision.

Jelly Roll pardoned for past charges

Several civic leaders backed Jelly Roll's pardon application, as per CBS News. As reported by The Associated Press, Republican Gov. Bill Lee shared that there wasn't any special treatment or bias for Roll's pardon. His application went under the same scrutiny as the other 32 people who received pardons.

However, Governor Bill Lee emphasized that Roll's story was truly influential.

“His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for,” shared Lee.

A report shared by ABC News on January 12, 2024, highlighted Roll's efforts to change his life from the shackles of drug addiction and jail sentences. He voiced his opinion to concerned lawmakers to pass anti-fentanyl legislation and save lives. Roll testified in front of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

"I was a part of the problem. I am here now, standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution, I brought my community down. I hurt people. I was the uneducated man in the kitchen playing chemist with drugs I knew absolutely nothing about, just like these drug dealers are doing right now when they're mixing every drug on the market with fentanyl and they're killing the people we love," he shared.

"I've attended more funerals than I care to share with y'all, I could sit here and cry for days about the caskets I've carried of people I love dearly, deeply in my soul. Good people, not just drug addicts. Uncles, friends, cousins, normal people," he added.

Jelly Roll then mentioned that even though he had been sober, addiction still haunted and affected his family. He shared that his daughter's mother also suffered with addiction, highlighting his deep-rooted need for change.

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"Every single day, I have to wonder if me and my wife, if today will be the day that I have to tell my daughter that her mother became a part of the national statistic," he said.

"I suggest that we stand up and do more as fast as we possibly can," he added.

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