If you’ve been checking your feed lately, you might have seen a photo of Willie Junior Maxwell II—the guy we all know as Fetty Wap—smiling in a "Legends Prevail" sweater. It feels like just yesterday "Trap Queen" was blasting from every car window, but the reality for Fetty has been much grimmer over the last few years.
People are flooding Google with one specific question: when is fetty wap release date jail?
Well, the answer actually changed just a few days ago. As of January 7, 2026, Fetty Wap is no longer behind bars at FCI Sandstone in Minnesota. He’s out. Sorta.
The Current Status of Fetty Wap’s Release
Let's get the facts straight because there’s been a ton of confusion about whether he’s actually "free" or just moved. On January 7, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Prisons officially transferred him from prison to community confinement.
Basically, he's serving the rest of his time under the supervision of the Philadelphia Residential Reentry Management Office. For now, he is reportedly on home confinement in New Jersey.
If you're looking for the date when he is officially, 100% done with the government looking over his shoulder, that day is November 8, 2026.
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That is his projected full release date from all oversight. Until then, he's essentially on a very tight leash. He’s got regular drug testing. He can’t open new bank accounts without a federal agent saying "okay." He can’t even have a beer unless a doctor writes a script for it. It's a "welcome home" with a lot of fine print.
Why was he in jail anyway?
It's easy to forget the details when a celebrity disappears for a few years. Fetty wasn't just caught with a small amount of something; he was part of a massive federal drug trafficking case.
Back in October 2021, the feds picked him up at Citi Field during the Rolling Loud festival. Talk about a buzzkill. The indictment was heavy—prosecutors said he was part of a ring that moved over 100 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack. They were using the U.S. Postal Service and cars with hidden compartments to move the product from the West Coast to Long Island and New Jersey.
He initially pleaded not guilty and got out on a $500,000 bond. He almost stayed out, too. But then he allegedly messed up.
In August 2022, a judge revoked his bail because Fetty allegedly flashed a gun and threatened to kill someone on a FaceTime call. That move cost him his freedom before he was even sentenced. He eventually pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess 500 grams or more of cocaine. In May 2023, Judge Joanna Seybert handed him a six-year sentence.
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How did he get out early?
When he got sentenced to 72 months (six years), most people figured he’d be gone until at least late 2027 or 2028. So why are we talking about him being home in early 2026?
Two words: First Step Act.
This law, passed back in 2018, allows federal inmates to earn "good time" credits and participate in programs that shave time off their sentences. Because Fetty stayed out of trouble (this time) and participated in the required programming, he managed to serve just over half of his original six-year term.
He spent about three and a half years total in custody, counting the time he was held after his bail was revoked.
What life looks like for Fetty now
Honestly, the transition from a cell in Minnesota to home confinement is huge, but it's not a party. His publicist, Abesi Manyando, says he’s in "good spirits" and focused on fatherhood and music. He even stopped by his label, 300 Entertainment, in New York shortly after his release.
But the legal drama isn't totally over. Once November 8, 2026, passes and his home confinement ends, he enters five years of post-release supervision.
If he misses a drug test or hangs out with the wrong people, he could go right back. The feds aren't known for giving third chances.
What most people get wrong about federal prison
- There is no parole: People often confuse state and federal time. In the federal system, you serve the vast majority of your sentence. You can't just get "paroled" after a third of the time like in some states.
- Home confinement is still "jail": Legally, he is still "incarcerated" in the eyes of the Bureau of Prisons. He just happens to be sleeping in his own bed.
- The money issue: Part of his release conditions include "restrictions on financial activity." The government wants to make sure the money he's spending is coming from "Trap Queen" royalties, not the other kind of "trap" income.
What’s next for the music?
Surprisingly, prison didn't stop the music entirely. While he was locked up at FCI Sandstone, he actually dropped a single called "Forever (71943509)" in May 2025. That number in the title? That was his inmate registration number.
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He also did a track with Doe Boy called "Lil Sexy" while he was still inside. Now that he’s home, the rumor mill is spinning about a comeback album.
His team says he wants to focus on "giving back" to at-risk youth, specifically helping with education and vision care. It's a bit of a full-circle moment for a guy who became a global superstar while dealing with his own vision challenges.
Actionable insights for fans
If you’re following Fetty Wap’s journey back to the industry, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the November 8, 2026 date. That is when the travel restrictions usually loosen up, meaning he could potentially tour internationally again after that.
- Expect a lot of New Jersey-based content. Since he’s on home confinement and supervised release, he likely won't be traveling far from the New York/New Jersey area for a while.
- The music will be different. Artists who go through the federal system often shift their lyrical content. Given his statements about "hurting his community" during his sentencing, don't be surprised if the new tracks have a more reflective tone.
Fetty Wap's release is a massive story for hip-hop in 2026, but it's also a reminder of how quickly a "My Way" lifestyle can hit a federal brick wall. He’s got a long road of supervision ahead, but for the fans who have been waiting since 2021, the "Zoo King" is officially on his way back.