Fetty Wap is officially a free man. According to CNN, the rapper — whose legal name is Willie Junior Maxwell II — was released from a federal prison in Sandstone, Minnesota, on Wednesday. His release comes nearly three years after a New York court found him guilty of conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Here’s what to know about his release and the legal troubles that led to his incarceration.
Maxwell confirmed his release in a statement and on Instagram Stories
A spokesperson for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to CNN that Maxwell “transferred on January 7, 2026, from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Sandstone to community confinement.” The transfer was monitored by the Bureau of Prisons’ Philadelphia Residential Reentry Management Office. The rapper is now under home confinement, where he will remain until Nov. 8.
“I want to thank my family, friends, and fans for the love, prayers, and continued support — it truly means everything to me,” the rapper said in a statement to Billboard.
He added, “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 for young kids and students so they can show up as their best selves.”
Maxwell shared he’s “committed to moving forward with purpose and making a meaningful impact where it matters most.”
According to People, he also confirmed his release on Instagram Stories, writing “HOME” in white text over a black background.
The rapper’s publicist, Abesi Manyando, told CNN the 34-year-old is in “good spirits” and echoed his commitment to his community.
“He is in a focused, grounded place. His priorities are his family, fatherhood, music and being an asset to his community,” she told the outlet.
In addition to home confinement, Maxwell must comply with several restrictions, including undergoing mandatory drug testing and refraining from consuming any substances — including alcohol — unless prescribed by a doctor. He is also prohibited from opening a new bank account without approval from federal agents, TMZ reported.
Maxwell was charged in October 2021 and was described by prosecutors as a ‘kilogram-level redistributor’
According to People, in October 2021, Maxwell and five other people were charged with “conspiring to distribute and possess controlled substances,” the U.S. Department of Justice noted in a release at the time. The rapper, along with the other men, were accused of distributing more than 100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in Long Island and New Jersey from June 2019 to June 2020.
The accused allegedly acquired the substances on the West Coast and used the U.S. Postal Service, employing drivers with hidden compartments in their vehicles to transport them across the country. The narcotics were then stored in Suffolk County.
The DOJ stated that the rapper was “a kilogram-level redistributor” for a drug trafficking organization.
“The fact that we arrested a chart-topping rap artist and a corrections officer as part of the conspiracy illustrates just how vile the drug trade has become,” FBI assistant director-in-charge Michael Driscoll said at the time, per People.
Maxwell was arrested in New York City in October 2021, CNN reported. He and the five others were indicted on a drug trafficking conspiracy charge. He pleaded not guilty and was released from custody on a $500,000 bond in November 2021 as he awaited trial.
The rapper’s bond was revoked in August 2022 after prosecutors accused him of violating the terms of his release, which included not possessing a firearm. They claimed he flashed a gun while threatening to kill a man during a FaceTime call. Shortly thereafter, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.