In a deeply personal appeal, Divinity Maxwell-Butts, sister of rapper Fetty Wap, is calling for her brother’s early release from a six-year federal prison sentence tied to a drug trafficking case. Fetty Wap, born Willie Maxwell II, was sentenced in May 2023 and has remained in custody since his arrest in October 2021.
As discussions of redemption and second chances gain momentum this month, Maxwell-Butts took to social media to express her desire for her brother’s return to their family. In her Instagram post, she highlighted the significance of April as Second Chance Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging the possibility of rehabilitation rather than mere punishment. “My brother has taken responsibility and served over half his sentence for a nonviolent offense,” she shared, emphasizing the need for mercy in the justice system. “He is due to be released in 2027, but justice should also mean mercy.”
Fetty Wap reflects on redemption and accountability as his family pushes for a pardon
Fetty Wap pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving the distribution of cocaine, with prosecutors arguing for a harsher sentence based on his influence in popularizing the drug trade through his music career, which skyrocketed after his 2015 breakthrough. His arrest, which took place at Citi Field in New York just before the Rolling Loud Festival, led to the confiscation of a substantial cache of illegal substances and firearms, alongside $1.5 million in cash.
In a candid interview with XXL in November 2023, Fetty reflected on the choices that led him to this point, acknowledging the importance of accountability. “I take responsibility for everything I did. It ain’t nobody else’s fault that I’m here,” he stated, expressing regret for the company he kept and the trajectory his life took. “I just reflect on some of the things I did in the last few years, how I feel like I could have taken music a lot more seriously.”
Despite the lengthy sentence ahead of him, Fetty remains optimistic, focusing on the lessons learned during his incarceration. He recognizes the obstacles that lie ahead for his career but maintains a sense of gratitude for his current situation, remarking on the light he still sees at the end of the tunnel. Maxwell-Butts’ call for a pardon not only seeks to reunite her brother with his family and children but also emphasizes the broader theme of redemption in the justice system. “It’s time for him to come home,” she insisted, rallying support with hashtags such as #PardonFetty and #BringHimHome.
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