Renowned rapper, Fetty Wap, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for charges related to possession of illicit substances. Here's what caused his early release.
Fetty Wap is officially out of prison, walking free nearly a year earlier than expected. The 34-year-old rapper, born Willie Junior Maxwell II, was suddenly released on January 8, 2026, after serving more than three years of his six-year federal sentence. According to Billboard, he has been released 11 months earlier than his scheduled release date in December 2026. Fetty's early release has sparked multiple questions about what led to his unexpected early release and what his next steps will be. Here's everything we know about it.
Although the Federal Bureau of Prisons has not released any detailed public reasoning behind Fetty Wap's early release, multiple legal and administrative reasons are alleged to have contributed to his early release. In some federal cases, the inmates can earn good conduct time and time credits for maintaining discipline and participating in rehabilitation programs. Subsequently, these credit points can significantly reduce the time someone spends behind bars. In his words:
“I want to thank my family, friends, and fans for the love, prayers, and continued support — it truly means everything to me."
According to the sources familiar with the matter, Fetty Wap was transferred to a lower-security federal facility in Sandstone, Minnesota, months before his release. It is often seen as a sign that an inmate is nearing eligibility for early release or home confinement. Eventually, Fetty was released nearly a year early and is now expected to complete the remainder of his sentence under supervised release. Subsequently, he would have to follow strict conditions such as regular drug testing, travel limitations, and reporting financial earnings to probation authorities.
Meanwhile, after his early release, Fetty expressed his gratitude and mentioned that he would now focus on community work. He explained that he plans to expand the social initiatives to support at-risk children, with an emphasis on education, early technology skills, and vision care.
Fetty Wap was taken into custody in October 2021 in Queens, New York, just before his scheduled performance at Rolling Loud NYC. The federal prosecutors had alleged the rapper played a significant role in the large-scale distribution of illicit substances across New York and New Jersey. According to the court documents, the operation involved more than 100 kilograms of various kinds of illicit substances.
Later, in August 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a minimum of 500 grams of those substances. Consequently, he was sentenced in May 2023 to six years in federal prison. The case was a dramatic fall in Fetty Wap's life, who had been one of the biggest breakout hip-hop stars in the mid-2010s. Furthermore, he had violated the terms of his release bond, complicating the case.
Fetty Wap is a 34-year-old rapper who rose to fame in 2015 with his hit, Trap Queen, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later received a diamond certification. In the same year, he scored several top-10 hits, including 679 and My Way, which emerged as one of the leading chart performers of his era. Fetty even earned Grammy nominations and won Billboard's Top New Artist award in 2016. His debut album played a significant role in shaping the sound of mainstream hip-hop during the mid-2010s. On the other hand, the rapper's personal life includes a heartbreaking tragedy after his four-year-old daughter, Lauren, passed away due to a congenital heart condition.
What do you think about Fetty Wap's early release from prison? Let us know.
Next Read: Who Is Jonathan Ross? All About The ICE Agent Who Fatally Shot Renee Nicole Good In Minneapolis