Fetty Wap, the New Jersey rapper behind the 2015 hit “Trap Queen,” was arrested by the FBI in October 2021 on federal drug trafficking charges, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and was sentenced in May 2023 to six years in federal prison. He was released early in January 2026 under the First Step Act and is serving home confinement in New Jersey, with five years of supervised release to follow.1Fox 5 NY. Fetty Wap Released From Prison
The Federal Drug Conspiracy
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Fetty Wap, whose legal name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, was part of a drug trafficking organization that operated from roughly June 2019 through June 2020. The group distributed more than 100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine, sourcing narcotics on the West Coast and shipping them to Suffolk County, New York, using the U.S. Postal Service and vehicles with hidden compartments. From there, the drugs moved to dealers on Long Island and in New Jersey. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace called it a “multimillion-dollar bicoastal drug distribution organization” whose members “deliberately contributed to the opioid epidemic.”2U.S. Department of Justice. Six Individuals Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 100 Kilograms of Controlled Substances
Prosecutors described Fetty Wap as a “kilogram-level redistributor” within the organization.3U.S. Department of Justice. Willie Junior Maxwell II, Also Known as Fetty Wap, Sentenced to 6 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Conspiracy The government’s sentencing memorandum said he was personally responsible for distributing 25 kilograms of cocaine over several months and that he had earned about $5 million from his music career, which the government argued undercut any claim he trafficked drugs out of financial necessity.4Courthouse News Service. Government Sentencing Memorandum, United States v. Maxwell Search warrants executed during the investigation turned up about $1.5 million in cash, 16 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, fentanyl pills, and multiple firearms including handguns and a rifle.5NBC News. Rapper Fetty Wap Arrested by FBI on Federal Drug Charges
Five co-defendants were charged alongside him, including Anthony Cyntje, a New Jersey corrections officer who moved kilograms of cocaine from Long Island to New Jersey. Cyntje was sentenced to 72 months in prison in March 2023.6CBS News. Rapper Fetty Wap Sentenced to Six Years in Prison on Drug Trafficking Charges
Arrest at Rolling Loud and Revoked Bail
FBI agents arrested Fetty Wap on October 28, 2021, at the Rolling Loud music festival at Citi Field in Queens, New York. He had been scheduled to perform for months, and the booking effectively set up the arrest.7Variety. Fetty Wap Indicted in Drug Empire He was released on a $500,000 bond secured by property in Georgia, with conditions that included an ankle monitor.8New York Daily News. Rapper Fetty Wap Waves Gun During FaceTime Death Threat, Feds Say; Bond Revoked
That freedom did not last. On December 11, 2021, while on pretrial release, Fetty Wap made a FaceTime call to a man identified in court filings as “John Doe,” pointed a gun at the camera, and said, “Imma kill you and everybody you with,” repeating the threat multiple times. The confrontation reportedly began after the other man accused him of being a “rat.”9Los Angeles Times. Rapper Fetty Wap Jailed After Alleged FaceTime Death Threat On August 8, 2022, U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven Locke revoked his bond in Long Island Federal Court.8New York Daily News. Rapper Fetty Wap Waves Gun During FaceTime Death Threat, Feds Say; Bond Revoked He stayed in custody from that point on.
Guilty Plea and Six-Year Sentence
In August 2022, Fetty Wap pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess 500 grams or more of cocaine, a charge carrying a five-year mandatory minimum.10NBC News. Rapper Fetty Wap Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking Scheme In court he said, “I agreed with other people to distribute cocaine. I knew the conduct was illegal.”11The New York Times. Fetty Wap Drug Ring NY His attorney said the plea was a standard one and that he was not cooperating with federal authorities.12NBC New York. Rapper Fetty Wap Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charge
The government’s sentencing memorandum calculated a guidelines range of 87 to 108 months, roughly seven to nine years, and asked for a sentence in that range. Prosecutors argued he was “far more culpable” than Cyntje, having moved 25 kilograms of cocaine to Cyntje’s six, and said he had “glamorized the drug trade” through his music while profiting from it.4Courthouse News Service. Government Sentencing Memorandum, United States v. Maxwell Defense attorney Elizabeth Macedonio argued that he supported numerous children and relatives and had turned to trafficking after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live entertainment and cut off his primary income.13The New York Times. Fetty Wap Sentenced
On May 24, 2023, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced him to six years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release, one year above the mandatory minimum and well below the range prosecutors sought.3U.S. Department of Justice. Willie Junior Maxwell II, Also Known as Fetty Wap, Sentenced to 6 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Conspiracy Addressing the court, Fetty Wap said, “I only ever wanted to help my family. I never asked myself if it was all-the-way right,” and apologized to the communities and families of drug users harmed by the operation.13The New York Times. Fetty Wap Sentenced
Prison and Early Release in 2026
Fetty Wap served his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sandstone, Minnesota, a low-security facility.14Billboard. Fetty Wap Released From Prison Early While incarcerated, he released his third studio album, King Zoo, a 17-track project that dropped on November 22, 2023.15NME. Fetty Wap King Zoo
On January 8, 2026, he was transferred from FCI Sandstone to community confinement under the Bureau of Prisons’ Philadelphia Residential Reentry Management Office, roughly 11 months ahead of his originally scheduled December 2026 release date.14Billboard. Fetty Wap Released From Prison Early The early release was enabled by the First Step Act, the 2018 bipartisan criminal justice law that expanded early-release programs.16The New York Times. Fetty Wap Prison Release His home confinement is projected to end on November 8, 2026, after which he begins his five-year term of supervised release. Conditions include abstaining from alcohol and drugs, with possible enrollment in an outpatient drug program.1Fox 5 NY. Fetty Wap Released From Prison
Where He Is Now
Since his release, Fetty Wap has said he feels “rehabilitated” and has a “clear mindset.” In a January 2026 interview, he said he wants to focus on spending time with his six children and “take my time through life.” He also noted that he went from 140 pounds to 225 pounds through disciplined workouts during his incarceration.17People. Fetty Wap Says He Has Clear Mindset After His Prison Release He attended a “Welcome Home Party” in New York City on January 16, 2026, and told Billboard his focus is on community initiatives and a foundation supporting at-risk children, with an emphasis on education, early tech skills, and vision care.14Billboard. Fetty Wap Released From Prison Early
He has also returned to music. He collaborated with Doe Boe on the track “Lil Sexy” in June 2025, and in June 2026 he made a surprise appearance at CMA Fest in Nashville, joining country artist Russell Dickerson onstage at Nissan Stadium to perform their collaborative single “Boots” and a rendition of “Trap Queen.” He was still technically under home confinement at the time.18Rolling Stone. Fetty Wap Russell Dickerson Performance CMA Fest