This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/20/eugene-big-u-henley-jr-arested
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Federal authorities arrest alleged LA street gang leader Eugene ‘Big U’ Henley Jr | Federal authorities arrest alleged LA street gang leader Eugene ‘Big U’ Henley Jr |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Investigators say he ran ‘mafia-like’ enterprise and is charged with crimes including drug trafficking | Investigators say he ran ‘mafia-like’ enterprise and is charged with crimes including drug trafficking |
| Federal authorities have taken into custody on Wednesday an alleged longtime leader of a Los Angeles street gang who investigators say ran a “mafia-like” criminal enterprise that included murder, human trafficking and extortion while he also worked as an entertainment entrepreneur, officials announced. | Federal authorities have taken into custody on Wednesday an alleged longtime leader of a Los Angeles street gang who investigators say ran a “mafia-like” criminal enterprise that included murder, human trafficking and extortion while he also worked as an entertainment entrepreneur, officials announced. |
| Eugene Henley Jr, known as “Big U”, was one of 18 members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips charged in a federal complaint with a litany of federal crimes including drug trafficking, conspiracy and firearms offenses, the United States attorney’s office said in a statement. | Eugene Henley Jr, known as “Big U”, was one of 18 members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips charged in a federal complaint with a litany of federal crimes including drug trafficking, conspiracy and firearms offenses, the United States attorney’s office said in a statement. |
| Before turning himself in on Wednesday, the self-described community activist recorded videos denying the accusations. | |
| “This the price of being Black and trying to help somebody, trying to help your community and do what you can,” Henley said. “You just guilty because somebody else don’t like you.”His appearance in federal court was scheduled for Thursday afternoon, the federal prosecutors’ office said. The Associated Press could not locate an attorney for Henley. | |
| Ten gang members were arrested this week while Henley, 58, and one other were initially considered fugitives, the statement said. The FBI announced on X on Wednesday evening that both had been taken into custody. Other defendants were already in custody. | Ten gang members were arrested this week while Henley, 58, and one other were initially considered fugitives, the statement said. The FBI announced on X on Wednesday evening that both had been taken into custody. Other defendants were already in custody. |
| Henley allegedly masterminded a criminal operation that investigators dubbed the “Big U Enterprise”, and is also suspected of embezzling donations to Developing Options, an anti-gang charity he founded, but which prosecutors say he used “as a front for fraudulent purposes and to insulate its members from suspicion by law enforcement”. | Henley allegedly masterminded a criminal operation that investigators dubbed the “Big U Enterprise”, and is also suspected of embezzling donations to Developing Options, an anti-gang charity he founded, but which prosecutors say he used “as a front for fraudulent purposes and to insulate its members from suspicion by law enforcement”. |
| He is suspected in the 2021 killing of an aspiring rap musician who was signed to his recording company, Uneek Music, according to prosecutors. | He is suspected in the 2021 killing of an aspiring rap musician who was signed to his recording company, Uneek Music, according to prosecutors. |
| The rapper, identified in court documents as “RW”, was allegedly shot and killed by Henley after he recorded a “defamatory song” about the gang leader at a Las Vegas studio, prosecutors said. RW’s body was found in a ditch off Interstate 15 in the Nevada desert. | The rapper, identified in court documents as “RW”, was allegedly shot and killed by Henley after he recorded a “defamatory song” about the gang leader at a Las Vegas studio, prosecutors said. RW’s body was found in a ditch off Interstate 15 in the Nevada desert. |
| Prosecutors said Henley ran the enterprise like a mob boss and used his stature and longstanding association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles. | Prosecutors said Henley ran the enterprise like a mob boss and used his stature and longstanding association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles. |
| “Not only did the enterprise expand its power through violence, fear, and intimidation, but it also used social media platforms, documentaries, podcasts, interviews, and Henley’s reputation and status as an ‘OG’ (original gangster) to create fame for – and stoke fear of – the Big U Enterprise, its members, and its associates,” the US attorney’s statement said. | “Not only did the enterprise expand its power through violence, fear, and intimidation, but it also used social media platforms, documentaries, podcasts, interviews, and Henley’s reputation and status as an ‘OG’ (original gangster) to create fame for – and stoke fear of – the Big U Enterprise, its members, and its associates,” the US attorney’s statement said. |
| Henley is accused of organizing criminal activity including extortion, robbery, trafficking and exploiting sex workers, fraud, and illegal gambling. In addition, he’s suspected of submitting a fraudulent application for a Covid-19 pandemic relief loan for Uneek Music. | Henley is accused of organizing criminal activity including extortion, robbery, trafficking and exploiting sex workers, fraud, and illegal gambling. In addition, he’s suspected of submitting a fraudulent application for a Covid-19 pandemic relief loan for Uneek Music. |