Jelly Roll's 2025 pardon from the Tennessee governor
In December 2025 the governor of Tennessee pardoned this tattooed country-rap singer from Antioch for the felonies of his youth — a robbery as a teenager, and a drug conviction at twenty-three.
The full story
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee pardoned the singer Jelly Roll, legal name Jason DeFord, on 18 December 2025 — one of 33 pardons granted that day, on a unanimous recommendation from the state parole board. The pardon covered felonies from his youth: a robbery committed as a teenager and a drug conviction at 23. He had testified to the US Senate about fentanyl, telling it he had been 'a part of the problem' and wanted to be part of the solution.
The clues we handed out
— A state parole board had recommended it unanimously; he was one of 33 people pardoned on 18 December 2025.
— He had testified before Congress about fentanyl and spent years doing outreach inside prisons.
— His legal name is Jason DeFord.
— He broke through with 'Save Me' and 'Need a Favor'.
— Initials: J.R.
How this case played
ALLEGEDLY* edition No. 53. Three strikes to name Jelly Roll, with a free clue
unlocked after every miss.
Where this comes from
Every case on this site is drawn from the public record. These are the records for this one.
*A blind item you can check. Every puzzle is drawn from the public record —
court records, official rulings, and moments that unfolded on live television — and the
records are linked above. Allegedly.
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