On Thursday, Dec. 18, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pardoned the country music star for two robbery and drug felonies issued before 2010 in Davidson County, offering him forgiveness from the state.
“His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story, which is what you look for and what you hope for,” Lee told reporters, according to the Associated Press.
“It was evident to me that this is a man who should get a pardon,” he added, per The Tennessean.
Jelly was one of 33 individuals to receive pardons on Dec. 18 from Lee, per AP.
The pardon doesn’t wipe Jelly’s record completely clean, but it forgives two felony convictions in Davidson County — one from 2003 for robbery and another from 2008 for drug possession, according to The Tennessean.
Jelly filed a pardon application last year, The Tennessean previously reported, with supportive statements from friends, government officials and various music industry figures.
In April 2024, Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall wrote a letter asking Lee to pardon Jelly. Almost exactly one year later, the Tennessee Board of Parole recommended him for a pardon in a non-binding unanimous decision.
The “Need a Favor” singer said he wanted a pardon in order “to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be — to let them know that change is truly possible,” per AP.
“One of the reasons I’m asking for your recommendation … is because I’m looking to take my message of redemption … [across] the rest of the world,” continued Jelly, who’s spoken about struggling to perform internationally due to his felonies.
The “Save Me” artist has been jailed more than 40 times for various drug charges, and he was arrested for the first time at age 14. He’s been open about his criminal past while spreading his message of redemption.
In December 2022, the musician told PEOPLE about his incarceration as a teen. “I was in and out of there for about three, three and a half years. I spent a lot of time there and eventually got charged as an adult for a crime I committed as a juvenile,” he said.
“And I just realized that was the most impactful thing that ever happened in my life, and the darkest moments of my life still were being that 15-year-old scared kid spending Thanksgiving away from his family.”
Since rising to fame, Jelly has appeared before Congress to urge legislators to pass the FEND Off Fentanyl Act and spent time visiting prison inmates to discuss his past.
