Renowned country musician Jelly Roll and his wife, Bunnie XO, have been vocal about their transformative journey toward a Christian lifestyle, leaving behind their troubled pasts.
Yet, some individuals within their close circle cast a shadow, having been subjected to restraining orders for violence against women, and one crew member of the country star has been convicted for abduction and strangulation.
The duo, known offstage as Jason and Alisa DeFord, have built a successful career by sharing their compelling redemption story. Grammy award-winner Jelly, aged 41, has emerged from a criminal past to become a leading artist and a proponent of second chances.
“For decades, I was a horrible human, and to be able to turn that around and deliver a message through music that helps people is a testament to my origins and my commitment to always reach back,” he shared with Fox News Digital during the 2023 Country Music Awards.
Bunnie, once a sex worker and former drug addict now hosting a podcast, has been candid about her criminal background, sharing her mugshots on social media before embarking on a book tour last year.
“These photos don’t shame me,” Bunnie XO wrote alongside the images. “They remind me of who I was and how far grace has brought me.”
However, several sources told The Post that the couple’s narrative of redemption is at risk due to “violent individuals” in their circles, who collectively have numerous charges and engage in harmful activities.
There is no indication that Jelly Roll or Bunnie were involved in any of their associates’ alleged actions.
Quantez Wells
Quantez Demar Wells, who claims to have been part of Jelly Roll’s crew for over a decade, has posted multiple pictures with Jelly Roll backstage.
Wells was jailed in October 2025 on charges including strangulation and abduction, as per records reviewed by The Post.
“We been rollin’ for over 10 years,” Wells reflected in a photo with Jelly Roll from October 2024.
Wells’ Instagram profile features a mix of images with Jelly Roll on tour and videos depicting women fighting. His criminal record spans several years, including aggravated assault charges.
Frank Lombardo
An anonymous woman informed The Post that she was in a relationship with Frank Lombardo, 43, until the end of 2024. Lombardo, Bunnie’s ex-husband, describes her as a “great friend.”
The source claims that Lombardo repeatedly assaulted her, including strangulation that rendered her unconscious.
In one incident in December 2023, both the victim and a neighbor who witnessed the altercation called 911, according to a police report reviewed by The Post.
Lombardo was arrested and charged with domestic battery by strangulation.
“While en route to jail, Frankie remarked that he should’ve beaten her up,” the police officer noted in the report.
The report also alleges that Lombardo threatened to “have his people destroy” the victim.
The case was dismissed in 2024. Recently, Lombardo posted a TikTok video denying his ex’s allegations. He refers to Bunnie as “the boss” in other videos, and she often discusses their close friendship on her podcast, where he uses the alias “Paulie.”
“I am not a thug and I’m not violent,” Lombardo stated in one video. “All of these allegations are completely false.”
Jessi Lawless
Former adult film star Jenna Jameson criticized the couple, claiming in an interview with The Post that they associate with “evil criminals,” referencing their alleged support of her ex-wife, Jessi Lawless, with whom she had a contentious divorce.
Lawless — previously charged with domestic battery, strangulation, and stalking — is frequently seen with Bunnie XO and recently bragged in a TikTok video about violently beating a woman.
“I had to clean up blood all over the hotel room,” Lawless mentioned in a TikTok video last month.
“Did I talk online about hitting my girlfriend in the face? Yep.”
She has also admitted in another video, “By nature, I’m a violent person.”
Lawless is frequently mentioned and appears on Bunnie’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast and has attended Jelly Roll’s shows.
“I love Jessi. She gets such a bad rap online,” Bunnie expressed in a 2025 episode.
“Deep down inside, I see the good in Jessi, and Jessi is a sweetheart. I will always believe that. I know what’s being said about her isn’t true.”
In a February 2023 episode of “Dumb Blonde” titled “Jessi Lawless: Born Lawless,” the description was extremely positive, referring to Jessi as “our hero.”
Lawless has openly discussed her legal troubles.
“Yes, I was charged with domestic violence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 2010,” she said in a now-deleted TikTok video, as reported by NewsWeek.
“And yes, I picked her up by her throat and slammed her on the ground.
Nicole Arbour
The scrutiny on Jelly Roll’s associates increased partly due to comedian and influencer Nicole Arbour,
She alleges her conflict with Jelly and Bunnie began over an appearance on the “Dumb Blonde” podcast, although the episode was never fully released.
Since then, she has accused Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO of intimidation and threats, including an incident at a charity event in Nashville earlier this year.
This followed Arbour posting a video titled “WOW. Look at the difference of Jellyroll on camera Vs off on February 21” on her social media.
In the covertly recorded video, Jelly Roll can be seen speaking openly to a few men, at one point saying, “Jelly hasn’t changed.”
“I’m going to shoot everything I see about that guy. F—k him. And his mamma and his daddy,” he adds, also using the “n” word.
The target of his comments is unclear.
The video appears to capture Jelly Roll discussing “Operation Infiltration,” asserting, “My wife is a f—ing savage gangster bitch that sold p—y, dude, she will clear somebody out.”
A music industry insider, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Post he was at an afterparty with Arbour in 2021 when Jelly Roll allegedly threatened her.
“It was at a charity event for families of wounded soldiers and first responders.
“He was being aggressive. He wanted Nicole gone and threatened he could have people there in minutes to ‘handle her.’ I heard him say it. The event organizers offered to remove Jelly, but Nicole chose to leave instead.
“Many in the industry dislike him. He has a poor reputation.”
Arbour’s complaints against Jelly Roll were reported to two Tennessee police departments, but neither pursued charges.
“Save Me” singer Jelly has openly discussed his criminal history, disclosing in his 2023 documentary that he was incarcerated about 40 times, with the most serious charge being aggravated robbery at age 16.
Thomas Cummings AKA Tommy Vext
In February, Thomas Cummings, the singer for Bad Wolves, known by his stage name Tommy Vext, expressed gratitude to Jelly Roll for his support during challenging times in a social media post, emphasizing their long-standing friendship.
Cummings has faced multiple restraining orders and protection orders for domestic violence. In 2020, an ex-girlfriend accused Cummings of several incidents of physical abuse, including hitting, choking, and threats.
“In addition to these incidents, [Cummings] has threatened to have [the victim] killed, ‘send people after’ her, …and otherwise ‘delete’ her,” the court filing states, according to reports.
“[Cummings] has also left disparaging comments on [the victim’s] Instagram account, visible to her clients, potential clients, business partners, and fans.”
A California court issued a two-year domestic violence restraining order, barring Cummings from posting disparaging comments about his ex.
Cummings denied the allegations, calling them false, but the court maintained the order, as viewed in documents by The Post. No convictions resulted from this case.
“Even when I was cancelled you donated to my Gofundme and gave me a platform to speak,” Cummings wrote alongside a photo on Instagram of himself with Jellyroll and Bunnie at her book launch in February this year.
“Even standing on stage in the sold out ground you called me out and said I was one of the greatest rock singers alive. Today I am officially uncancelled and back.”
Jason Winfree AKA Haystak
In a 2024 interview with GQ, Jelly Roll described Nashville rapper Haystak — a convicted sex offender — as a significant career influence and collaborator.
In 2014, Haystak, whose real name is Jason Winfree, was arrested on a felony charge of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and was jailed.
Local media cited police allegations that Winfree allegedly attempted to force himself on a woman backstage during a concert in Boone, Iowa. A judge later found him guilty and convicted him of the crime.
The arrest brought renewed attention to prior accusations against him. He faced a statutory rape charge in 2004, and in 2006, he was convicted of assault and fear of bodily injury, receiving 11 months and 29 days of supervised probation. Despite this, he continued to collaborate on projects with Jelly Roll.
Representatives for Jelly Roll declined to comment on this story.
Since transforming his life, Jelly Roll frequently speaks about faith and change, crediting organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and a Christian initiative called Jericho.
In December 2025, Bill Lee granted the Nashville native a full pardon for his past convictions.
“His story is remarkable, and it’s a redemptive, powerful story,” Lee commented at the time.
