Key Highlights
- Fetty Wap, known for his 2014 hit “Trap Queen,” was released from prison 11 months earlier than expected.
- The rapper is now under home confinement and faces strict supervision until November 8, 2026.
- He expressed gratitude to family, friends, and fans and pledged to support at-risk children through community initiatives.
- Fetty Wap was sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed over 100 kilograms of illegal substances across Long Island and New Jersey.
Rapper Fetty Wap’s Early Release from Prison
Fetty Wap, the former rapper who gained fame with the hit single “Trap Queen,” has been released early from prison after serving more than three years behind bars for his conviction in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The release marks a significant milestone in the career of this once-celebrated artist.
Early Release and Supervision
Fetty Wap, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, was transferred on January 7, 2026, from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Sandstone to community confinement supervised by the Bureau of Prisons’ Philadelphia Residential Reentry Management Office. According to a spokesperson, his current period of supervision is expected to continue until November 8, 2026. During this time, he must comply with strict conditions including regular reporting and other oversight measures.
Community Initiatives and Philanthropic Work
In a statement sent to Billboard, Fetty Wap expressed his gratitude for the support of his family, friends, and fans during his incarceration. He stated, “I want to thank my family, friends, and fans for the love, prayers, and continued support—it truly means everything to me.” The rapper plans to focus on giving back through community initiatives aimed at supporting at-risk young children. His foundation will work to expand access to education, early tech skills, and vision care for young kids and students so they can show up as their best selves.
Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
The rapper’s conviction stems from his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed over 100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine across Long Island and New Jersey. Court filings reveal that the group obtained narcotics from the West Coast and transported them using hidden compartments in vehicles and the U.S. Postal Service.
Once the drugs arrived in Suffolk County, they were stored and distributed to local dealers. Fetty Wap acted as a kilogram-level redistributor for the organization, while his co-defendant Anthony Cyntje was a corrections officer who transported kilograms of cocaine from Long Island to New Jersey.
Multiple defendants helped transport and process the narcotics, with some members also reportedly using firearms to protect the organization and its distribution chain. In October 2021, Fetty Wap was arrested in Queens ahead of his performance at Rolling Loud NYC. The Department of Justice reported that search warrants during the investigation led to the seizure of approximately $1.5 million in cash, 16 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, numerous fentanyl pills, two 9mm handguns, a rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, and ammunition.
Legal Proceedings
Fetty Wap pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2022 and was released on a $500,000 bond. However, his bond was later revoked after prosecutors accused him of violating release conditions, including possession of a firearm. In May 2023, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Cyntje received the same sentence, while four additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The case highlights the severe consequences of involvement in drug trafficking and serves as a cautionary tale within the entertainment industry. As Fetty Wap prepares to reintegrate into society, his community initiatives may offer insights into how he plans to use this new chapter to make a positive impact.