Overview
- Gov. Bill Lee granted the state pardon on Dec. 18 as part of 33 clemency actions issued that day.
- The pardon covers Jelly Roll’s Davidson County robbery and drug convictions from before 2010.
- Under Tennessee law, a pardon is official forgiveness that does not expunge records but can help restore certain rights and support a later expungement bid.
- Jelly Roll sought clemency to ease international touring to places like Canada and to pursue missionary work, citing burdensome travel hurdles.
- The action followed a nonbinding, unanimous recommendation by the Board of Parole in April 2025, with support from Sheriff Daron Hall and Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino and legal representation by David Raybin.