Jacksonville Rapper Yungeen Ace Arrested for Gun Possession

On the night of Monday, April 16th, 2024, popular Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace, also known as Keyanta Bullard, encountered legal trouble in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The 26-year-old artist faced arrest after law enforcement discovered seven firearms inside his SUV during a routine traffic stop.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in Jacksonville Beach, when officers pulled over a rented black Chevrolet Suburban for failing to yield at a four-way stop. The driver, identified as Malquis Warthen, 24, was arrested for driving without a valid license. Upon further inspection, officers uncovered a cache of loaded firearms inside the vehicle. Notably, among the six occupants of the SUV, both the driver and passenger were identified as documented gang members. This prompted the officer to call for backup, recognizing the potential escalation of the situation.

Yungeen Ace, along with the other occupants of the vehicle, was promptly detained by law enforcement. The rapper was subsequently arrested and taken into custody at the Duval County Jail where he remained as of Tuesday morning. The rapper waived his first court appearance, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

During the court proceedings, a representative for Bullard (Yungeen Ace), appeared on his behalf to address matters concerning bond. The judge, upon reviewing the case, found probable cause for the charge of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted Florida felon. Subsequently, the judge appointed the public defender’s office to provide legal representation for Bullard. The case is scheduled to be heard in Circuit Court on May 8th. Bond was set at $150,000, with conditions stipulating no contact with any co-defendants, witnesses, or gang members.

Additionally, Malquis Warthen, the driver of the vehicle in which Yungeen Ace was traveling, also appeared in court. Warthen did not receive an offer from the State Attorney’s office during the hearing. Consequently, his case was passed to the regular division for further proceedings. Warthen’s next court appearance, an arraignment, is scheduled for May 1st at 9:30 a.m.

This recent brush with the law adds to Yungeen Ace’s already chaotic history. In 2018, Yungeen Ace endured a harrowing ordeal when he survived a shooting that left him with eight gunshot wounds. Tragically, the incident claimed the lives of his brother, Trevon Bullard, and two other young individuals, Jercoby Groover and Royale D’Von Smith Jr., all under the age of 20. The following year, during a rap concert in Waycross, Georgia, another member of his group fell victim to an ambush.

Reports suggest that Yungeen Ace has been living in Houston for the past few years, possibly as a means of seeking refuge from the frequent encounters with law enforcement in his hometown of Jacksonville. In various interviews and public appearances, the rapper has openly discussed the challenges he has faced in returning to Jacksonville. He has expressed a strong desire to contribute to the community through charitable initiatives, such as organizing bike giveaways and distributing school supplies

However, the young artist’s aspirations to positively impact his community seem thwarted by the barriers erected by law enforcement. Despite his intentions to organize charitable events, he claims that authorities have prevented him from doing so, citing their hesitancy to permit his return to Jacksonville for performances and community engagements.

Yungeen Ace’s recent run-in with the law shows us the ongoing struggles he’s dealing with in his life. As he faces legal proceedings, a lot of us are rooting for a positive outcome and an opportunity for this young artist to shift his focus back to his music and community in a positive way. It’s a tough time for him, but we’re all hoping for the best as this chapter unfolds.