Paterson, New Jersey rapper Fetty Wap (real name William Junior “Willie” Maxwell II) was sentenced in federal court to six years (72 months) in prison for his role in a major drug‑trafficking conspiracy that involved distributing cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
The sentence was issued on May 24, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert in federal court in Central Islip, New York, which handles major narcotics cases in the metro area.
Federal Case Details & Arrest
Maxwell was originally arrested in October 2021 as part of a federal investigation that alleged he was involved in a multi-state drug trafficking operation from roughly mid-2019 through mid-2020. Prosecutors said Maxwell and co-defendants distributed more than 100 kilograms of illicit drugs, including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine, across Long Island, New York, and New Jersey.
The operation reportedly involved obtaining the drugs on the West Coast and transporting them to the East Coast using the U.S. Postal Service and vehicles with hidden compartments. Once in Suffolk County, New York, the drugs were stored, processed, and distributed to street dealers. Law enforcement seized approximately $1.5 million in cash, 16 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl pills, and multiple firearms during the investigation.
Maxwell was one of six defendants named in the indictment. One co-defendant, a New Jersey corrections officer, also received a 72-month sentence, while the remaining co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Guilty Plea & Sentencing
In August 2022, Maxwell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine with intent to distribute, a charge carrying a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. This plea spared him from facing the full range of original charges, which could have resulted in a life sentence.
At sentencing, Judge Seybert imposed six years in federal prison, slightly higher than the five years requested by Maxwell’s defense team but less than the nine years sought by prosecutors. Prosecutors had argued that, due to Maxwell’s fame and influence, a significant sentence was necessary to deter others.
During the hearing, Maxwell—best known for his 2015 hit “Trap Queen”—apologized, saying, “I hurt my community, people who look up to me, my family, and myself. I am truly sorry for any pain I caused.” Judge Seybert admonished him, noting that despite overcoming challenges to achieve success, he had ultimately “thrown it all away” by engaging in criminal activity.
Release
Although Maxwell was originally projected to be released in March 2027, he was released today due to good behavior and time served, in accordance with federal prison guidelines. He will now serve five years of supervised release, during which he will be required to follow strict conditions imposed by the court.
Background & Career
Fetty Wap rose to fame with his 2015 breakout single “Trap Queen”, which peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining song of the era. He achieved multiple charting singles and earned Grammy nominations at the height of his career. Despite his success in music, Maxwell has faced multiple legal issues over the years, including previous arrests and allegations involving firearms.
Welcome home Fetty Wap 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OpZFhSt4O9
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