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The charges of illegal possession of firearms against rapper Yungeen Ace have been dropped as of July 3, according to the court records of Online Duval County. The rapper was arrested in Florida in April 2024 under the charges of possession of a firearm, weapon, or ammunition by a convicted felon.
As per a disposition statement by the court, the charges against Yungeen Ace, originally named Kenyata Bullard, were dropped due to the lack of sufficient evidence. The statement also mentioned that e-traces were conducted on the firearms in question, but they could not be associated with Bullard or his DNA.
"E-Traces were completed for the firearms but provided no evidence to associate the firearms with Bullard. Bullard’s phone was recovered, but after review, a search warrant was not sought," the statement read.
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"Bullard’s DNA was taken pursuant to a search warrant and was compared against the firearms, but FDLE reported that the firearms failed to demonstrate a sufficient amount of DNA for processing,” it added.
The disposition statement also mentioned that Jacksonville Beach Police had stopped Bullard and his four other friends in a car for not stopping at a stop sign in April 2024. The driver of the car reportedly claimed in a YouTube video that the firearms found in the car did not belong to them, per the statement.
“Mere proximity to a firearm does not establish that the person intentionally exercised control over it in the absence of additional evidence," the disposition statement read.
Additionally, Christopher M. DeCoste, Ace's lawyer, confirmed to Complex that his client has been evicted of all charges related to the April 2024 case of illegal possession of a firearm.
According to All Hip Hop, although Ace has been cleared of his illegal possession of a firearm charges, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating his alleged involvement in the murder of rapper Julio Foolio. Foolio and Ace were involved in a feud over gang violence for over a decade.
Why was Yungeen Ace arrested in April 2024? Charges against rapper explored
On April 15, 2024, Yungeen Ace was arrested and taken to Duval County jail under the charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The rapper's car was initially stopped as the driver failed to stop at a designated sign.
As per Complex, the police found seven loaded firearms in the car. Six people were in the car, which was reportedly a rental property. The driver was Malquis Warthen, who was also arrested for driving when his license was invalid, per the publication.
According to the police, Ace had “constructive possession” of three handguns. One of them was a semi-automatic gun loaded with ammunition used for armor piercing, reported Complex.
However, due to the lack of sufficient evidence, all charges against Yungeen Ace have been dropped as of July 3.
Jacksonville Police is reportedly investigating Yungeen Ace's alleged involvement in Foolio's death
On June 23, 2024, Jacksonville-based rapper Julio Foolio was shot to death outside the Holiday Inn in Tampa, Florida, while celebrating his 26th birthday. The rapper's attorney confirmed the same in an official statement. Foolio was accompanied by three others, who survived the shooting and were taken to a hospital.
According to Hot 97, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating the alleged involvement of Yungeen Ace in Julio's murder. Ace and Foolio were part of the gangs ATK (Ace's Top Killers) and KTA (Kill Them All), respectively. They were reportedly involved in a violent feud for over a decade before the latter's death.
On July 4, a video went viral on the internet where a masked man claimed he killed Foolio in exchange for money from Yungeen Ace.
“I bagged Foolio for 10k. I’m the one who smacked Julio Foolio that night when he got dropped at his birthday celebration. I didn’t show my face or give my identity away, but I did that,” the man in the video said.
The masked man also claimed that Ace told him to kill Julio and offered $10,000 in return.
“There was money on his head. I rock with Ace and them boys, ATK, I be in Jacksonville heavy. If you know, you know. I handled that because Ace put that 10k up, told me to slide. Told me to smack Foolio because he got tired of him running his mouth,” he added.
The alleged murderer also denied Foolio's death being a part of gang-related violence. Instead, he claimed that the rapper "had it coming for him" and mentioned that Ace "put that bread off" (offered money) and anyone could have taken up the challenge. He ended the clip by saying, "Rest in peace" to Julio.
As of writing, no arrests have been made in Foolio's death. The police are reportedly investigating the video and Ace's alleged involvement. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw also assured that arrests would be made soon.
As per Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters, the department is investigating Yungeen Ace's alleged involvement in the murder, but Ace has not been named a suspect or person of interest in Foolio's death.
Hours after Foolio was killed on June 23, Ace dropped a diss track, titled Do It, allegedly aimed at the rapper. The video included alleged digs at Julio's death, leading to further speculation about his involvement in his murder.
