Eugene “Big U” Henley, 58, was Eugene “Big U” Henley, 58, was still at large by late Wednesday morning.
Eugene "Big U" Henley attends a premiere in Los Angeles in 2021.Leon Bennett / Getty Images file
A reputed Los Angeles gang leader allegedly posed as a community activist while operating a "mafia-like organization" and engaging in multiple crimes, including the murder of an aspiring rapper, officials announced Wednesday.
Eugene "Big U" Henley Jr., 58, remained at large as of late Wednesday morning and faces charges of extortion, human trafficking, fraud, and murder, according to federal authorities.
Sylvester "Vey" Robinson, 59, and Mark "Bear Claw" Martin, 50, have been arrested and are set to appear in federal court later that afternoon.
While Henley presented himself as a community peacemaker, he was reportedly an active member of the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang. "He maintained the image of an entertainment industry entrepreneur running a music label and giving back to the community," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally, noting Henley's role in funding a charity, Developing Options, aimed at helping at-risk youth escape gang life.
However, McNally emphasized, "The facts alleged in the complaint paint a very different picture—one of a murderer, a thief, a liar, and a cheat."
According to officials, Henley's organization, Big U Enterprises, was a criminal network that leveraged his reputation and connections with the Crips to intimidate businesses and individuals. In January 2021, he allegedly fatally shot an aspiring rapper identified as "R.W." in North Las Vegas, disposing of the body in a ditch near Interstate 15 after the musician released a diss track about him.
Henley’s façade as a community activist was reportedly used to solicit donations from celebrities, professional athletes, and businesses, which were then embezzled. "Henley used this charity as a front to conceal his criminal activities and evade detection from law enforcement," McNally stated.
The arrests also resulted in the confiscation of 49 weapons, 5 pounds of meth, 10,000 fentanyl pills, and substantial amounts of cash, according to Ted Docks, the FBI special agent in charge of the bureau's Los Angeles office.