Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted Jelly Roll a pardon on December 18, 2025, closing a chapter on the singer’s felony robbery and drug convictions. But the same month, Jelly Roll admitted to an affair, sparking public debate over his wife Bunnie XO’s decision to forgive him.
Full name: Jason Bradley DeFord | Stage name: Jelly Roll | Born: December 4, 1984, Antioch, Tennessee | Felony conviction: Aggravated robbery, drug possession | Pardon date: December 18, 2025 | Spouse: Bunnie XO (married 2016) | Children: 2 (daughter Bailee Ann, son Noah) | Net worth: Estimated $4 million
Legal Issues
- Felony conviction for aggravated robbery (The Tennessean)
- Drug possession charges (ABC7 New York)
- Pardoned by TN Governor Bill Lee on December 18, 2025 (ABC 33/40)
Personal Life
- Married to Bunnie XO (CBC News)
- Two children (The Tennessean)
- Met wife while she worked as an exotic dancer (CBC News)
Music Career
- Rapper and singer-songwriter (Associated Press)
- Hit song “Save Me” (Associated Press)
- Member of Grand Ole Opry (Fox News)
Recent Controversy
- Divorce rumors in 2024 (CBC News)
- Bunnie XO clarified she did not break sobriety (Billboard)
- Some fans turned against him after affair admission (The Tennessean)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jason Bradley DeFord |
| Born | December 4, 1984, Antioch, Tennessee |
| Felony | Aggravated robbery and drug possession |
| Pardon | Granted December 18, 2025 by Gov. Bill Lee |
| Spouse | Bunnie XO (m. 2016) |
| Children | 2 (daughter Bailee Ann, son Noah) |
| Net worth | Estimated $4 million |
What was Jelly Roll’s felony?
Felony details
Jelly Roll’s legal name is Jason DeFord. His criminal history includes a 2003 felony robbery conviction in Davidson County, Tennessee. According to The Tennessean, the robbery was unarmed, involved two men and a woman, and resulted in a sentence of one year in prison plus probation. He also faced drug possession charges, as reported by ABC7 New York.
Arrest and charges
His felony record includes aggravated robbery and drug possession. The Associated Press confirmed that the pardon covered these convictions.
How long did Jelly Roll go to jail?
Sentence length
Jelly Roll served multiple sentences starting as a juvenile. His total time in prison across different terms was roughly one to two years. The ABC7 New York article notes his criminal past included robbery and drug felonies.
Prison experience
He has spoken about his time incarcerated as a turning point. In interviews, he credits his wife Bunnie XO and his faith for helping him turn his life around.
Jelly Roll gets pardon from Tennessee governor for robbery, drugs
Pardon details
Governor Bill Lee granted Jelly Roll a pardon on December 18, 2025, as part of a clemency action involving 33 individuals, according to ABC 33/40. The Associated Press reports that the Tennessee Board of Parole issued a unanimous nonbinding recommendation in April 2025. The board’s hearing lasted about one hour and forty-five minutes, and one of the seven members recused themselves (ABC News).
Governor’s statement
“Jelly Roll’s rehabilitation and advocacy for criminal justice reform made him a strong candidate for a pardon. His life shows that redemption is possible.” – Governor Bill Lee (paraphrased from ABC 33/40)
Tennessee law requires pardon applicants to be at least five years removed from completion of their sentence, as noted by the Associated Press.
Note: The pardon application was first considered by the parole board in October 2024, nearly a year before the final grant (Fox News).
What happened with Jelly Roll and his wife?
Relationship timeline
Jelly Roll married Bunnie XO in 2016. In a 2024 TikTok video, Bunnie said the couple had separated in 2018 (CBC News). In October 2025, Jelly Roll publicly admitted to having an affair (The Tennessean). Bunnie XO later said she forgave him, calling forgiveness “strength, not weakness” (Billboard).
Divorce rumors
In June 2026, court documents in Williamson County, Tennessee, showed Jelly Roll initiated divorce proceedings citing irreconcilable differences (CBC News). However, the couple has not confirmed the status of their marriage.
Bunnie XO’s sobriety clarification
Bunnie XO addressed rumors that she had broken her sobriety. She stated on her podcast and social media that she remains sober, and that the separation was unrelated to relapse. Billboard covered her response.
Insight: Bunnie plans to tell her full story in her upcoming memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic (Yahoo News UK).
Was Jelly Roll’s wife a stripper?
Bunnie XO’s career
Bunnie XO has spoken openly about her past as an exotic dancer. She now works as a podcast host and influencer. CBC News reported that Jelly Roll met her while she was working as a stripper.
Public perception
Her profession has occasionally been cited by critics questioning the couple’s dynamic, but Bunnie has defended her choices.
Why don’t people like Jelly Roll anymore?
Criticism reasons
Some fans cite his past felony as a reason to distrust him, despite the pardon. Others criticize his music style as inauthentic or commercial. The affair admission and divorce proceedings have also contributed to a shift in fan sentiment (The Tennessean).
Controversies
Speculation about Bunnie’s sobriety and the couple’s separation led to online backlash. Bunnie addressed these rumors directly, stating that “growth isn’t weakness” (Billboard).
“I forgave him because I knew our marriage was worth fighting for. People think forgiveness is weak, but it takes incredible strength to rebuild.” – Bunnie XO (Billboard)
Timeline of Jelly Roll’s journey
| Date or period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Born in Antioch, Tennessee |
| 2000s | Multiple arrests and incarcerations; felony robbery conviction in 2003 (The Tennessean) |
| 2010s | Began music career, released early mixtapes |
| 2016 | Married Bunnie XO (CBC News) |
| October 2024 | Pardon application considered by Tennessee parole board (Fox News) |
| April 2025 | Parole board issues unanimous nonbinding recommendation for pardon (Associated Press) |
| December 18, 2025 | Governor Bill Lee grants pardon (ABC 33/40) |
| October 2025 | Jelly Roll admits to affair (The Tennessean) |
| June 2026 | Divorce proceedings initiated by Jelly Roll (CBC News) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jelly Roll a convicted felon?
Yes. He was convicted of aggravated robbery and drug possession in 2003. The pardon does not erase the conviction but removes legal disabilities.
Why did Jelly Roll go to jail?
He served time for an unarmed robbery and drug charges. His total incarceration across multiple sentences was about one to two years.
What songs is Jelly Roll known for?
His hit song “Save Me” and collaborations with artists like Lil Wyte are among his most popular works.
How many times has Jelly Roll been arrested?
Records show multiple arrests starting as a juvenile; the exact number is not publicly tallied.
Is Jelly Roll still married?
As of June 2026, he filed for divorce, but the legal status of the marriage remains unresolved.
Does Jelly Roll have a criminal record now?
The conviction remains on his record, but the pardon nullifies its legal consequences.
What is the controversy around Jelly Roll?
Criticism stems from his past felony, the affair, and questions about Bunnie XO’s sobriety, though she has denied breaking sobriety.
How did Jelly Roll meet his wife?
He met Bunnie XO while she was working as an exotic dancer in Nashville.
“I’m not proud of my past, but I’m grateful for the chance to start over. The pardon means everything to me.” – Jelly Roll (paraphrased from Associated Press)
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Alex Nguyen is Editor-in-Chief at BuzzLayer, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.