Fetty Wap learned his fate today in court as he was sentenced to six years in prison by a Long Island federal judge for his part in a bi-coastal drug ring.
As previously reported, the rapper whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, was accused along with five others of driving to Long Island about six times in 2020 to buy kilograms of cocaine. They were also accused of selling it in New York and New Jersey. The 31-year-old pleaded guilty back in August to one count of conspiracy to possess cocaine as well as distribute more than 500 grams of the drug. He was looking at a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years behind bars for the alleged crime.
Although this is not the outcome he was looking for, prosecutors had argued last week for a longer term. They pointed out that Fetty had used his fame to “glamorize the drug trade” while making millions of dollars from his music after his hit “Trap Queen” was released in 2015. “Young people who admire the defendant and are considering selling drugs need to be sent a message that selling drugs is not a glamorous lifestyle and, if they participate in that trade, they will receive lengthy prison sentences,” Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District wrote while asking for a sentence between seven and nine years, per the Times.
In an attempt to get him to serve less time, his lawyer also tried to explain that the pandemic is what jumpstarted Fetty’s life of crime. The rapper’s attorney wrote in a letter, “In or about 2020, with the coming of the worldwide pandemic, things began to change for Mr. Maxwell. There were no opportunities to perform, thus his income was severely limited. He was sued personally, was going through a divorce, and was involved with a tour manager who was stealing from him. While the bills kept coming in, the money to pay them was running out. At or about the same time, Mr. Maxwell lost his grandparents and several other people who were close to him.”
The letter continued: “Depression and panic began to set in. As stated, Mr. Maxwell took enormous pride in his ability to provide for his children and lend support to his other family members. He is described as a people pleaser and a person who gains great satisfaction from taking care of others. Suddenly it felt like life was going in reverse and he became ashamed when he began to struggle to keep up the lifestyle that he created for so many. His judgment became impaired. Desperate to keep up with his financial obligations, Mr. Maxwell became involved in the instant offense for a few months in the spring of 2020.”
Wap has been jailed since August and while he was hoping to get out soon, unfortunately he will have to stay in there longer than expected.
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