Famed L.A. Crip Leader Turned Community Activist Accused of Running Mafia-Like Enterprise, Federal Authorities Say
Eugene “Big U” Henley, a once-prominent leader of Los Angeles’ Rollin’ 60s Crips who later reinvented himself as a gang interventionist and music industry figure, is now at the center of a sweeping federal investigation. Authorities allege Henley operated a violent, mafia-style criminal enterprise responsible for murder, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, and fraud.
Henley, widely credited with helping launch the career of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle and often referred to as the "godfather" of West Coast rap, has cultivated a public image of an entertainment mogul and community advocate. He has frequently been praised for his outreach efforts aimed at steering young men away from gang life in Los Angeles. But according to federal prosecutors, the reality behind his influence tells a far darker story.
A 107-page federal complaint unsealed Wednesday describes Henley’s organization, dubbed “Big U Enterprise” by authorities, as a highly organized, criminal network that operated much like the mafia. Prosecutors allege Henley leveraged his status as a longtime leader of the Rollin’ 60s Crips to intimidate, extort, and control businesses, athletes, and musicians who conducted business in Los Angeles.
Victims, including high-profile entertainers and professional athletes, were allegedly coerced into paying Henley for "protection" to safely operate within the city. Federal officials claim this extortion scheme was an open secret in the entertainment and sports worlds, with many victims having ties to industries that often operate in legal gray areas, such as unlicensed cannabis businesses.
At a press conference on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally detailed the serious charges Henley faces. "While Henley portrayed himself as a successful music label executive and a community leader working to reduce gang violence, the complaint reveals a very different picture—one of a murderer, a thief, a liar, and a cheat," McNally said.
Henley is accused of orchestrating several violent crimes, including the kidnapping and execution-style murder of a young rapper. Authorities allege Henley personally shot the victim in the face before dumping the body in the Las Vegas desert, an act said to be retribution for perceived disrespect.
The criminal complaint also details Henley's alleged role in organizing the robbery of an unlicensed marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles. The business had reportedly stopped making extortion payments to Henley's group, prompting a retaliatory heist.
Federal authorities confirmed Henley is currently a fugitive. However, more than a dozen other individuals tied to the case are in custody. This high-profile investigation follows a years-long FBI probe into organized crime and gang activity across Southern California.
Officials say the arrests are part of a broader effort to dismantle violent street gangs and restore safety in neighborhoods long plagued by gang violence. “This case represents a significant step in our mission to rid our streets of violent felons like Mr. Henley,” McNally emphasized.
As the search for Henley continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forwad
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