Meek Mill Pardoned Of 2008 Drug & Weapon Charges By Pennsylvania Governor

Meek Mill, Tom Wolf

Meek Mill Pardoned Of 2008 Drug & Weapon Charges By Pennsylvania Governor

Momentous news for Meek Mill!

Meek Mill took to social media on Thursday (Jan. 12) to announce that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf granted him a pardon on the 2008 drug and gun charges that initially affected the rapper’s life and career. The pardon means the 15-year-old charges will be terminated from his criminal record. On Twitter Meek Mill wrote:

“I got pardoned today …, I’m taking things really far from being a trench baby!”

The Philadelphia rapper shared a redacted copy of the official pardon document to Instagram and captioned the post:

“Thankyall.  I’m only gone do more for my community on god! #newlevelsunlocked”

The pardon reads:

“Therefore, know ye that in consideration of the premises and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the [redacted] said Robert R. Williams (Alias: Meek Mill) born on May 6, 1987, identified [redacted]… crime(s) whereof he was convicted as aforesaid, and he is thereby fully pardoned [redacted].”

According to reports, Democrat Tom Wolf issued more than twice the amount of pardons granted by any of his predecessors. His administration shared yesterday (Jan. 12) that at least 25% of them focused on non-violent marijuana offenses. This week, Tom Wolf signed his final 369 pardons which totals his pardons to 2,540 since he took office in 2015. 395 of the governors pardons were part of the expedited review process for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses. In a statement, Wolf shared:

“I have taken this process very seriously – reviewing and giving careful thought to each and every one of these 2,540 pardons and the lives they will impact.” 

Wolf added:

“Every single one of the Pennsylvanians who made it through the process truly deserves their second chance, and it’s been my honor to grant it.”

Tom Wolf

As you may know, Meek, real name Robert Rihmeek Williams, who was 18-year-old at the time, was convicted on drug and weapons charges and sentenced to 11-23 months in prison. The now 35-year-old was released after serving eight months of his sentence and was placed on probation for five years. In 2012, the “Dreams and Nightmares” rapper was arrested after cops allege they smelled marijuana coming from his car. He was then back in court 24 months later on a probation violation for booking performances outside of his hometown without permission from a judge, resulting in the same judge sentencing him to 90 days of house arrest in 2016. In 2017, he was punished for another alleged violation for violating his terms of probation, leading him to a two to four year sentence in state prison.

Meek Mill

In 2019, Meek’s appeal was granted by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, which overturned his 2008 conviction and ordered a new trial to be seen by another judge. The rapper’s years-long series of getting in trouble by the law motivated him to be an advocate for criminal justice reform. Meek eventually launched a non-profit “REFORM Alliance,” whose mission statement is to

“transform probation and parole by changing laws, systems and culture to create real pathways to work and wellbeing.”

Thankful for opportunity for a fresh start, Meek shared a blog highlighting his good news to his Instagram story Thursday evening (Jan. 12) and thanked Wolf. He wrote:

“Thank you @governortomwolf for the life reset!!!” 

What are your thoughts on Meek Mill’s prior convictions getting pardoned by his hometown’s governor? Tell us below.

[VIA 1,2]