A manhunt is underway for a Los Angeles gang leader turned music executive accused of running a ‘mafia-like’ criminal enterprise.
Eugene Henley Jr., 58, also known as ‘Big U,’ was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office accused Henley and 18 members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang of a litany of federal crimes including drug trafficking, conspiracy, human trafficking and firearms offenses this week.
Henley allegedly masterminded a criminal operation that investigators dubbed the ‘Big U Enterprise’ since 2010, and is also suspected of embezzling donations to Developing Options, an anti-gang charity he founded.
‘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,’ said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally.
In one instance, prosecutors said Henley murdered a man signed to his record label, Uneek Music, in 2021 after the artist dissed him in a song.
The victim, identified in court documents as ‘R.W.,’ was allegedly shot and killed by Henley after he recorded a ‘defamatory song’ about the gang leader at a Las Vegas studio. His body was found in a ditch off Interstate 15 in the Nevada desert.
Ten gang members – including Sylvester Robinson, 59, a.k.a. ‘Vey’ and Mark Martin, 50, a.k.a. ‘Bear Claw,’ – were arrested this week while Henley and two others are considered fugitives.
Eugene Henley Jr. (pictured), 58, also known as ‘Big U,’ was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act
Federal authorities are seen searching for Big U who is considered a fugitive by the DOJ
Henley allegedly masterminded a criminal operation that investigators dubbed the ‘Big U Enterprise’ since 2010
Prosecutors said Henley ran the enterprise like a mob boss and used his stature and long-standing 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 ‘O.G.’ (original gangster) to create fame for – and stoke fear of – the Big U Enterprise, its members, and its associates,’ the U.S. attorney’s statement said.
Henley also allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan in which he claimed that Uneek Music was operating at a $200,000 profit in 2019 despite operating at a $5,000 loss that year, which should have disqualified it from loan eligibility.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office accused Henley of defrauding donors to charities under the control of Big U Enterprise, including a non profit called Developing Options that marketed itself as giving South Los Angeles youth alternative choices to gang violence.
In 2019, Henley encouraged rival gang members to come together for a memorial walk honoring slain rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Henley allegedly embezzled large donations that celebrities and award-winning companies made to Developing Options, which Henley immediately converted to his personal bank account, prosecutors said.
‘The lead defendant and others in this case have for too long gotten away with violent acts and stealing money from taxpayers and well-intentioned donors whether they use intimidation tactics or wield influence as rehabilitated original gangsters,’ said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
The hunt for the music exec continued after arresting 10 of his fellow gang members
In 2019, Henley (right) encourage rival gang members to come together for a memorial walk honoring slain rapper Nipsey Hussle (left)
Prosecutors said Henley ran the enterprise like a mob boss and used his stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate people
Henley (right) pictured with Chris Brown (center). Henley allegedly embezzled large donations that celebrities and award-winning companies made to his charity
‘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,’ said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office.
‘Additionally, Mr. Henley allegedly duped the County of Los Angeles by running a charitable organization that promoted anti-gang solutions while continuing criminal activity that was directly contrary to his charity.’
Henley was still at large Wednesday morning. If convicted, he would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.