The rapper Fetty Wap has been released from federal prison and transferred to home confinement, cutting short his six-year sentence by three years. The artist, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, stepped back into public life this week, giving his first interview since his release.
From Prison to Philadelphia: The Terms of Release
The 34-year-old performer was released on Wednesday and is now serving the remainder of his sentence under home confinement in Philadelphia. According to the Bureau of Prisons, this arrangement is currently set to expire on 8 November of this year.
His release comes with a stringent set of conditions mandated by the court. Fetty Wap must undergo regular drug testing and is prohibited from consuming alcohol or any intoxicating substances without a doctor's prescription. He may also be required to enrol in an outpatient drug treatment programme.
Financially, the rapper is not allowed to open new bank accounts without approval from federal agents. He must also provide the US Probation Department with full details of his income and tax records to ensure financial transparency.
A Promise to Give Back After Conviction
In his first public comments since leaving prison, Fetty Wap appeared in high spirits and visibly more muscular. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and outlined his future focus. "I want to thank my family, friends and fans for the love, prayers and continued support — it truly means everything to me," he told The Shade Room.
He emphasised a commitment to philanthropy, stating: "Right now, my focus is on giving back through my community initiatives and foundation, supporting at-risk young children by expanding access to education, early tech skills, and vision care." The 'Trap Queen' hitmaker added that he is "committed to moving forward with purpose and making a meaningful impact."
The Crime and Its Consequences
Fetty Wap's incarceration stemmed from a guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He was sentenced in May 2023 to six years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Federal prosecutors had accused him of being part of a scheme that distributed more than 100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine across Long Island and New Jersey between June 2019 and June 2020. Upon his arrest in 2021, law enforcement seized approximately $1.5 million in cash, 16kg of cocaine, 2kg of heroin, fentanyl pills, and multiple firearms.
During his sentencing hearing, the rapper from Paterson, New Jersey, expressed remorse, telling the court: "I hurt my community, people who look up to me. My family and myself. I am truly sorry for any pain I caused." Judge Joanna Seybert remarked that he had "thrown it all away" despite his background and success.
His path to early release was not straightforward. After an initial arrest in October 2021, he was out on bail but was sent back to jail in August 2022 for allegedly threatening a man during a FaceTime call while brandishing a firearm.
It remains unclear if he required special permission to visit The Shade Room offices for his interview while under the terms of his home confinement.
