Gov. Bill Lee has pardoned Jelly Roll for two felony convictions. Both of them date back to pre-2010. According to The Tennessean, "The pardon grants him formal forgiveness from the state."
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"It was evident to me that this is a man who should get a pardon," Lee told reporters.
Jelly Roll had submitted his petition for a pardon in 2024. He noted how the convictions were causing him logistical issues, both in the US and when travelling abroad.
"As a burgeoning global superstar, his next career step includes a world tour. But his criminal record continues to prevent him from freely traveling the globe," The Tennessean reported in 2024. "To perform in Canada, he requires a special permit that can include long wait times for a decision, according to a letter from an immigration attorney submitted with his clemency packet."
Jelly Roll was one of 33 people who were granted clemency on Dec. 18.
What Felonies Did Jelly Roll Have?
In 2003, Jelly Roll was convicted of felony robbery. He was unarmed but accompanied by two armed men. They stole $350. Jelly Roll was sentenced to a year's prison time and then a period on probation.
He was back in trouble in 2008 when police found crack cocaine and marijuana in his vehicle. He was convicted of felony drug possession and was subsequently placed under eight years of court-ordered supervision.
The pardon does not mean Jelly Roll's criminal record is clean. However, it is the first step in the process of getting it expunged.
Jelly Roll Is Giving Back to His Community
Jelly Roll knows what it's like to struggle with addiction. In a recent Vlog, Jelly Roll announced that he wants to build a 100-acre rehabilitation and mental health campus on his Tennessee property. The facility is expected to provide a range of services, including a 12-step program.
"I'm gonna develop a 100-acre rehabilitation campus, for free," Jelly Roll said. "...Imagine (people) like us," he said. "Poor kids, we were just ... down when life was kicking our a**. And now think about the resources we have that could have helped us so much in those moments."
Jelly Roll has consistently given back to his community since his rise to fame. His philanthropy is part of what makes him special. And it's why his fans will likely be cheering that he's received a pardon from Lee.
