Fetty Wap, the New Jersey rapper known for his hit song "Trap Queen," has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for trafficking narcotics across the United States. The rapper, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He had been in custody since his bail was revoked in August, following an incident where he displayed a firearm and made threats during a FaceTime call. During his sentencing, Mr. Maxwell expressed remorse for the harm caused to communities and families affected by drug use.
Prosecutors argued for a longer sentence, claiming that Fetty Wap had used his fame to glamorize the drug trade, earning millions from his music. They highlighted the use of children in the music video for "Trap Queen" and the media attention surrounding the case. The judge acknowledged the difficulties in the case, considering Mr. Maxwell's rise to fame and his supportive family, but ultimately emphasized that he had other choices and his crime was serious.
One of Fetty Wap's co-defendants was previously sentenced to six years, while the remaining co-defendants await sentencing after pleading guilty. Fetty Wap achieved significant success with "Trap Queen," reaching No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2015. He was nominated for two Grammy Awards and appeared on the VH1 reality show "Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood." The defense argued that the accusations were limited to a specific period and accused prosecutors of using his fame against him.
Fetty Wap has been in protective custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his arrest to ensure his safety due to his celebrity status. Despite the pending case, he released a song called "Sweet Yamz," which prosecutors claimed was code for drugs.
