In a significant crackdown on gang-related criminal activities in Los Angeles, Eugene Henley Jr., also known as "Big U," has been charged with a slate of racketeering offenses, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Wednesday. Henley, 58, is cited as a veteran leader within the Rollin' 60s Neighborhood Crips and a music industry executive. Federal officials portray him as the head of a "criminal enterprise" implicated in crimes ranging from human trafficking to murder, as detailed in the complaint. "The RICO charges against Mr. Henley and his associates reflect a pattern of crimes that runs the gambit from extortion to tax evasion, all under the umbrella of a well-organized criminal organization led by Mr. Henley," IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher stated, according to a Department of Justice press release.
Authorities arrested two other alleged members, Sylvester Robinson and Mark Martin, both are expected to face federal court. Henley remains at large and is considered a fugitive. The charges arise from allegations of Henley's shadowy operations, which included using his music promotion company, Uneek Music, and nonprofit organization, Developing Options, as tools for criminal activities. In one instance, an affidavit claims that Henley was involved in the 2021 murder of an aspiring musician who had purportedly released a defamatory song about him. Both Fox LA and the Department of Justice reported that the complaint reveals Big U's criminal gang used violence, fear, and intimidation and used social media platforms, interviews, and Henley's reputation to amplify their control and intimidate others.
Developing Options, the nonprofit led by Henley, ostensibly focused on steering youth away from gang violence yet is accused of being a facade for fraud. "But the Big U Enterprise allegedly used it as a front for fraudulent purposes and to insulate its members from suspicion by law enforcement," pointed out the Justice Department in their release. Henley is accused of embezzling large donations meant for his nonprofit, which he redirected to his accounts. Contributors to the charity included NBA players and other celebrities, whose goodwill was met with betrayal, as funds intended for community betterment were siphoned for personal gain.
In response to the sweeping indictments, Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally condemned the interweaving of violent and fraudulent activities that Henley and his associates are accused of, "The allegations in the complaint unsealed today reveal a criminal enterprise that engaged in murder, extortion, human trafficking, and fraud – all led by a supposed anti-gang activist and purported music entrepreneur who was nothing more than a violent street criminal," McNally expressed, as reported by Fox LA. The FBI, along with local law enforcement partners, has been investigating these allegations for years, underscoring their commitment to dispelling the criminal activities that have loomed over Los Angeles communities.
