Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in federal prison on May 24, 2023 for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The rapper, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances in August 2022.
Prosecutors had argued for Fetty Wap to serve a longer term in a letter addressed to the judge last week, claiming the New Jersey-born rapper was part of a crew that trafficked drugs from the West Coast to New Jersey and Long Island between June 2019 and June 2020. The drugs included cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Fetty was accused of distributing at least 500 grams of cocaine.
“He had a lucrative career as a rap artist and the ability to make an honest living and provide for himself and his family. Indeed the defendant told the Probation Department that he made $5 million during his music career. Nevertheless, this defendant chose to supplement his income by trafficking large quantities of drugs — drugs he knew would ruin lives,” said Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District, who asked for the sentence to be extended between seven and nine years.
“Young people who admire the defendant and are considering selling drugs need to be sent a message that selling drugs is not a glamorous lifestyle and, if they participate in that trade, they will receive lengthy prison sentences.”
Fetty Wap’s lawyer, Elizabeth Macedonio argued that he had turned to selling drugs due to a financial strain that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the judge sentenced him to the maximum sentence of six years in prison.
In addition to the prison sentence, Fetty will also be required to serve five years of supervised release. He will also be required to pay a $50,000 fine.
The ‘Trap Queen’ hitmaker is not the only member of the drug trafficking crew to be sentenced. Four other co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Fetty Wap was arrested in October 2021 at Rolling Loud New York shortly before he was scheduled to perform and was initially released on bond but has been in custody since he plead guilty.
Fetty Wap gained widespread recognition and commercial success in 2014 with his breakout hit single “Trap Queen,” which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s catchy melody and autobiographical lyrics about his experiences in the drug trade resonated with audiences and helped propel him to stardom.
Following the success of “Trap Queen,” Fetty Wap released several other popular singles, including “679,” “My Way,” and “Again,” all of which achieved significant chart success. His unique blend of hip-hop, trap, and melodic vocals became his signature style and earned him a dedicated fan base.
Despite his musical success, Fetty Wap has faced some legal issues throughout his career. In 2017, he was arrested for drunk driving after being caught drag racing on a New York City highway. He was subsequently charged with DUI, reckless endangerment, and speeding. In 2019, he was involved in another incident where he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a hotel valet in Las Vegas.
