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Jelly Roll’s Life-Changing Pardon: From Jail to International Redemption

BBG News

Jelly Roll might encounter a significant turning point concerning his complicated past legal issues, since there’s a possibility that his criminal background will be expunged.

Prior to achieving stardom as a country artist, the individual known as Jason DeFord had numerous encounters with the law throughout his tumultuous younger years, resulting in approximately 40 arrests.

At the age of 15, he was involved in an armed robbery, and subsequently, he was found guilty of possessing drugs with the intention to sell them.

At the age of 23, he found himself incarcerated when his daughter Bailee arrived in 2008. From that moment, he made a commitment to transform his life for her well-being.

In the year 2022, DeFord gained widespread recognition, and ever since then, he’s been actively involved in community work. This includes treating a day’s earnings from restaurants to feed the homeless, contributing concert earnings to charities aiding vulnerable youth, and performing at treatment facilities and correctional institutions.

Currently, he’s optimistic about the possibility of sharing his redeeming message overseas, and on Tuesday, he received significant encouragement in this regard. The Tennessee Board of Parole suggested, albeit non-bindingly, that he should be granted a pardon, as reported by the Associated Press.

The verdict came about following a meeting lasting approximately an hour and four-fifths, during which all members except one abstained from voting, as they stepped aside for this particular decision, ultimately resulting in a unanimous vote in his favor.

Multiple individuals provided testimony during the hearing, among them was Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall, who endorsed the musician’s emotional growth, as reported by USA Today.

In simpler terms, Michael Rapino, who is the head of DeFord’s entertainment company Live Nation Entertainment, penned a letter highlighting the artist’s charitable work for underprivileged young people on his behalf.

Despite the Tennessee Parole Board’s suggestion, it is ultimately Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, who holds the power to make the final decision.

On Tuesday, Lee shared with journalists: “The coverage about Jelly Roll is uplifting, but there are still some procedures left to take place in this particular case.

In response to the outcome, DeFord issued a press release expressing his awe, adding a hope that it will be approved. However, he noted that this day was significant for him, irrespective of the result.

At age 14, DeFord ended up in a youth correctional facility, marking the beginning of a criminal history that encompassed convictions for aggravated robbery, narcotics trafficking, and retail theft.

At age sixteen, he admitted during a conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience that he, along with several companions, committed an armed robbery on a couple of individuals for marijuana. They entered the place with a firearm.

Back in 2002, when he was just 17 years old, he, along with two other men armed with weapons, and aided by a female friend, forcefully entered a house. They proceeded to steal $350 from the residents. However, it’s important to note that DeFord himself did not carry any weapons during this crime.

In the year 2008, traces of crack cocaine and marijuana were discovered inside his vehicle. Furthermore, he’s previously been found guilty of minor offenses related to drug-related items.

At the age of 23, while serving time in prison due to drug dealing charges, he learned that his ex-partner Felicia, who is a reformed addict with previous incarceration history, had given birth to their child named Bailee.

He told Billboard, “I’ve never encountered anything in my life that made me feel in the instant that I needed to change my path. I need to find a solution to this immediately.

During his time in prison, DeFord obtained his GED, participated in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and also took part in a Christian program, according to Fox News.

He found his calling as a songwriter during his time in a correctional facility, which he shared with the Tennessee Parole Board when given the opportunity.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I embarked on what initially seemed like a personal hobby with healing properties. Little did I know that this endeavor would transform my world in ways I could scarcely have envisioned, unlocking opportunities that previously felt unattainable.

Back in 2016, I tied the knot with my lovely spouse, Alyssa DeFord, who is fondly known as Bunnie XO. With her by my side, we’ve been blessed to raise our daughter Bailee, and more recently, we’ve welcomed a sweet little boy named Noah into our family. As of now, our son Noah is eight years old.

Even with his fame, his previous criminal history continues to impact his life significantly. This means he often has to pay more for things like life insurance and homeowners insurance, and sometimes struggles even to obtain these policies at all.

He shared with Joe Rogan that despite their initial accepted financial offer, they couldn’t purchase their desired home, which is located within a gated community adjacent to a golf course, as the community declined their application due to their past criminal record.

One reason DeFord pursued a pardon was due to the challenges he encountered trying to execute his record overseas, particularly in Canada.

In my journey, I aspire to serve as a beacon of hope for those currently in similar circumstances as I once were. My aim is to demonstrate that transformation, indeed, is not just a dream but a tangible reality.

One reason I’m seeking your advice on this clemency request is that I wish to spread a message of redemption, using my gift for music and my faith, all over the globe.

In the correspondence sent to the parole board, an immigration lawyer stated that under his current legal situation, DeFord requires a specific permit to cross the border, which may involve extended waiting periods.

After being granted the ability to travel internationally freely, he expresses his desire to perform missionary work during his 50s and 60s, as he mentioned.

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2025-04-24 05:50

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