Fetty Wap has been released from federal custody nearly a year ahead of schedule, thanking fans as he begins his path back into hip-hop and public life. According to TMZ, the 34-year-old rapper, born Willie Junior Maxwell II, was transferred on January 8, 2026, from federal prison to home confinement in Philadelphia, after serving more than three years of a six-year sentence tied to a drug trafficking case across New York and New Jersey.[2][1] Billboard has reportedly noted that Fetty Wap’s release comes roughly 11 months before his expected December 2026 out-date, marking a significant early return for the “Trap Queen” hitmaker.[1]
Fetty Wap was originally sentenced in May 2023 to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty in August 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.[1][2] He was first taken into custody in October 2021 in Queens, New York, just before a scheduled Rolling Loud NYC performance, after federal prosecutors alleged he played a key role in a large-scale operation that moved more than 100 kilograms of narcotics through New York and New Jersey.[1] According to TMZ, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Fetty is now under home confinement and will remain under oversight until November 8, 2026, with his movement and activities closely monitored.[2]
In his first public comments after regaining his freedom, Fetty Wap immediately tapped back into his fan base. TMZ reports that he appeared on The Shade Room’s platform to thank his supporters for their “unwavering support” throughout his incarceration.[2] In a statement cited by multiple outlets, Fetty expressed gratitude to his “family, friends, and fans for the love, prayers, and continued support,” adding that it “truly means everything” as he reenters civilian life and the music world.[1] According to BollywoodShaadis, sources familiar with his case say his early transition out of prison was likely influenced by good conduct time and participation in rehabilitation programming, though the Bureau of Prisons has not publicly detailed the specific factors behind the move.[1]
Fetty Wap’s early release carries weight beyond his personal situation, given his impact on mid-2010s hip-hop. The Paterson, New Jersey native broke through in 2015 with “Trap Queen,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later earned diamond certification, followed by hits like “679” and “My Way,” plus a Billboard Top New Artist award in 2016.[1] Now under strict supervised release conditions—including regular drug testing, limits on opening new bank accounts, and mandatory financial reporting to U.S. probation officials—Fetty’s next chapter will unfold under close federal oversight as he attempts to rebuild his career and, reportedly, put more energy into community-focused initiatives while reconnecting with the rap world that once crowned him a breakout star.[2][1]
