US EditionAlleged LA gang leader, so-called rap ‘godfather’ Eugene ‘Big U’ Henley Jr. faces 43 federal charges
- Eugene 'Big U' Henley Jr., an alleged LA Crips leader and music executive, was named in a 43-count federal indictment announced on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Los Angeles.
- Henley, a long-time leader of the Rollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips who rose to prominence in the 1980s, allegedly ran a mafia-like criminal enterprise known as the "Big U Enterprise" from 2010 to March 2025, utilizing his gang affiliation to intimidate businesses and individuals.
- The indictment includes charges of racketeering, murder, fraud, extortion, embezzlement, tax evasion, and violations of the Hobbs Act and Mann Act, stemming from activities such as the January 2021 murder of aspiring rapper Rayshawn Williams, COVID-19 relief fund fraud, and embezzlement from Developing Options, with more than a dozen others in custody and law enforcement seeking additional defendants.
- Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally stated, "As the indictment alleges, Mr. Henley led a criminal enterprise whose conduct ranged from murder to sophisticated fraud that included stealing from taxpayers and a charity," while Henley posted videos on Instagram denying wrongdoing and claiming the charges are character assassination.
- Henley, who surrendered to authorities on March 19 and is scheduled for arraignment on April 8 and a detention hearing on April 10, faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison if convicted on all counts, though he maintains his innocence and believes there is no real evidence against him.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Press-Telegram
Alleged LA gang leader, so-called rap ‘godfather’ Eugene ‘Big U’ Henley Jr. faces 43 federal charges
Alleged Los Angeles gang leader and so-called rap “godfather” Eugene Henley Jr., known as “Big U,” was named in a 43-count federal indictment accusing him of crimes including racketeering, fraud, extortion and embezzlement, prosecutors announced Thursday. Henley, 58, has been in federal custody since he surrendered to authorities March 19 in connection with a federal complaint that also linked him to the 2021 killing of an aspiring rapper in Las…
Accused Crips leader indicted: A Grammy-winning witness, NBA all-star’s $3-million debt
A federal grand jury indicted Eugene "Big U" Henley on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, extortion, robbery, theft of government funds, prostitution across state lines, tax fraud evasion and violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
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