The rapper Fetty Wap received a six-year prison sentence on Wednesday for his involvement in a massive drug trafficking operation that involved the shipment of narcotics from the West Coast to New Jersey and Long Island.
The rapper, who goes by the real name Willie Junior Maxwell, was sentenced to prison in Central Islip (New York) for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Maxwell was originally detained in October 2021 on charges that he had allegedly been involved in a drug-smuggling plot involving heroin, Fentanyl, and other drugs.
In August , he pleaded to a charge of conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances related to cocaine. The charge carried with it a minimum mandatory sentence of five year’s imprisonment.
The rapper who is best known for the 2015 hit song “Trap Queen” apologized to the judge in court. “I hurt people who look up at me, my community.” “My family and I,” he replied. “I’m truly sorry for the pain I may have caused.”
Maxwell was told by Judge Joanna Seybert, while she announced his sentence: “Despite all that you have overcome and your past, you have thrown it all away.”
Maxwell received a six-year sentence in federal prison and five years of supervision after release. Maxwell’s lawyers have been contacted by NBC News for comment.
The prosecution had requested that Maxwell be sentenced to a term longer than the minimum because he allegedly used his fame and power to “glamorize” the drug trade.
The artist was said to have become famous by singing about cooking crack cocaine and selling illegal drugs. The prosecution pointed out that in the video “Trap Queen,” he had young children standing behind him while he “idealized” selling drugs.
Maxwell is accused of being a part of a group that distributed over 100 kilograms of crack cocaine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl across Long Island, New Jersey, and New York from June 2019 to June 2020.
The prosecutors said the group purchased the narcotics in the West Coast, and then used drivers who had hidden compartments in their vehicles to transport them across the country and to Suffolk County to store the drugs. Prosecutors said the drugs were then distributed to dealers in Long Island and New Jersey.
Maxwell, according to prosecutors, was a “kilogram redistributor”.
During the investigation, investigators seized $1.5 million, 16 kilograms cocaine, 2 kilograms heroin, numerous fentanyl tablets, and several firearms, ammunition, as well as several firearms. Five of the defendants used firearms as a means to protect their drug distribution network and organization, according to prosecutors.
Six people have been charged with conspiracy. Four of them have already pleaded guilty, and they are waiting for their sentences. Anthony Cyntje was sentenced in March to 72 months of prison for his part in the conspiracy.
Maxwell’s career took off after his debut single “Trap Queen” reached No. 2 on the U.S. Maxwell rose to prominence after “Trap Queen,” his debut single, reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, May 2015. The song was nominated by him for two Grammys.
