Rapper Fetty Wap Sentenced Six Years for Drug Trafficking

Willie Junior Maxwell II, better known as rap star Fetty Wap, was sentenced to six years in prison for his part in a bi-coastal narcotics ring in a Long Island court on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023.

Federal prosecutors accused the 31-year-old rapper of driving to Long Island around six times in the spring of 2020, buying kilograms of cocaine, then selling the drug in New York and New Jersey. Fetty Wap personally sold 25 kilograms of the drug in the Garden State alone, according to the prosecution.

His defense attorney, Elizabeth Macedonio, tried to set Fetty Wap’s involvement apart from the other six individuals charged with him. She argued that Fetty Wap faced financial difficulties during the Pandemic as his money from performances dried up. He became motivated to start dealing to provide for people who depended on him, specifically his eight children.

“All these people were relying on a still young man with no money coming in,” Macedonio stated. “There were bills to be paid, but the money was running out.”

She continued and stressed that his cocaine selling was for a few months and was not for personal gain or fun.

“There were a lot of mouths to feed. The financial obligations were swallowing him up,” she implored. “He got in and got out. His family was taken care of and that was the end of it.”

The ‘Trap Queen’ rapper apologized to the court in front of about 20 friends and family before his sentencing. Music executive, Russel Simmons, was also in attendance for the trial.

“I only wanted to do right by my family and loved ones,” Fetty Wap told the judge. “In doing so, I never asked myself — is it all the way right?”

Fetty Wap was understandably empathetic to the consequences of his actions despite his intentions. The 6-year sentence had a sobering effect on the rapper. He made a dynamic statement to the court after his sentencing.

“I always aimed to lead,” he said. “I ended up hurting the community, hurting the people who look up to me, hurting my family, hurting my children, hurting myself.”