Why Jelly Roll Spent Years in Prison: Struggles and Redemption
Source: IDOC / facebook
Jelly Roll, the Grammy-nominated country star behind hits like “Son of a Sinner,” has shared his personal journey from troubled youth to award-winning artist. Born Jason Bradley DeFord in 1984 in Antioch, Tennessee, Jelly Roll’s early years were marked by legal troubles and addiction before he turned his life around with the support of his wife, Alyssa “Bunnie XO” DeFord.
A Tough Upbringing
Growing up in a difficult environment, Jelly Roll’s father was a meat dealer and bookie, while his mother struggled with mental illness and addiction. Despite a deep love for music, he never imagined a future as a singer. In an emotional interview with CBS News, Jelly Roll reflected on his past, explaining, “I knew my father booked bets. I knew my mother struggled with drugs. So, to me, this was just what you did,” referring to his time as a drug dealer. Music, however, remained a constant, with Jelly Roll even using his mixtapes as a “business card” while selling drugs.
Why Did Jelly Roll Go to Jail?
Jelly Roll’s first brush with the law came at 14, and he spent nearly a decade in and out of prison. Arrested around 40 times, his charges ranged from drug possession and dealing to aggravated robbery. The most significant moment came at 16 when he was arrested for aggravated robbery in a crime involving a gun and weed. He later called it “the worst decision” of his life, acknowledging how fortunate he was no one was hurt. This led to an eight-year sentence, though he served just over a year before being released.
The Felony and Its Consequences
Jelly Roll’s felony conviction remains on his record due to Tennessee’s strict laws on violent offenders. As a result, he was unable to vote and faced difficulties traveling internationally. Even when he could afford a luxurious home in a gated community, the past continued to haunt him, as he said, “My money was welcome, but I wasn’t, all because of something I did [almost] 24 years ago.”
Turning His Life Around
Released in 2008, Jelly Roll began to rebuild his life. It was on his release day that he learned he was a father to a daughter, Bailee Ann, whom he met when she was two years old. Today, he and his wife, Bunnie, are raising their daughter and co-parenting their son, Noah.
Jelly Roll’s journey hasn’t just been about personal growth. In 2022, he donated over $200,000 to the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center to help fund a music studio. He also spoke before Congress in 2023, offering support for anti-fentanyl legislation, saying, “I was a part of the problem. I am here now, standing as a man that wants to be a part of the solution.”
Jelly Roll’s story of redemption serves as an inspiration to others struggling with addiction and legal battles, showing that with the right support, change is possible.