Jay-Z Associate Emory Jones Receives Presidential Pardon From Donald Trump

Emory Jones, the longtime Jay-Z associate who rebuilt his career after serving a federal drug sentence, is among 30 people granted clemency by President Donald Trump.

Emory Jones received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump as part of a new round of clemency actions announced this week. White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson said Trump took action Thursday, September 3, with Jones included among 30 recipients, according to Reuters.

Jones is a longtime friend and business associate of Jay-Z who served nearly 16 years in federal prison on drug charges. In 2009, Jay-Z wrote to U.S. District Judge Benson Legg in support of a sentence reduction and offered Jones a job upon release; court records later showed that 37 months were cut from the sentence, and Jones left federal custody in 2010.

Following his release, Jones built a prominent role inside Roc Nation, where he became Head of Lifestyle, while also helping build the Paper Planes apparel brand. His post-prison career in fashion, branding and culture became a major part of the case made for clemency.

Johnson highlighted Jones while announcing the pardons, describing him as an entrepreneur and creative leader whose life after incarceration demonstrated personal growth. The pardon clears the continuing legal consequences of his federal conviction even though Jones completed his prison sentence years ago.

The move adds Jones to a growing list of clemency recipients during Trump’s second term. Reuters reported that the president has issued pardons or commutations to more than 1,700 people since returning to the White House in January 2025, with the latest group also including people convicted in bribery and firearms cases.

For Jones, the pardon closes a legal chapter that has followed him long after his 2010 release while his work with Jay-Z, Roc Nation and Paper Planes expanded his profile in music, fashion and business. Neither Jones nor Roc Nation had publicly issued a detailed response to the clemency announcement at the time of reporting.

More News, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Announces Partnership With NFL