L.A Crips Leader ‘Big U’ Indicted on 43 Charges in Federal RICO Case
Los Angeles, CA–Eugene Henley Jr., better known by his street name “Big U,” has been indicted on 43 federal charges, including racketeering, murder, fraud, and extortion, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The indictment accuses Henley, a prominent figure in Los Angeles’s gang underworld, of running a “mafia-like” criminal enterprise known as the “Big U Enterprise” that operated across Los Angeles from 2010 through March 2025.
Henley, who has long been associated with the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, is also known for his music label and purported anti-gang activism. However, the indictment paints a different picture, alleging that he used his position and gang affiliations to intimidate individuals and businesses for personal gain.
The charges also include the alleged murder of an aspiring musician in January 2021, as well as fraudulent activities tied to COVID-19 relief funds and embezzlement from his own anti-gang charity, Developing Options.
The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury, details a range of criminal activities tied to Henley and his associates, all of whom are currently in federal custody. Henley is accused of running a sophisticated, mafia-like operation that involved extortion, money laundering, and murder. Notably, the murder of an aspiring artist in January 2021 is highlighted as one of the most egregious acts carried out by the enterprise.
Henley allegedly misappropriated funds intended for his charity, Developing Options, an organization that claimed to promote anti-gang initiatives but is now accused of being exploited for personal enrichment.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally described Henley’s alleged criminal operations as “sophisticated fraud that included stealing from taxpayers and a charity.”
McNally emphasized that the DOJ’s efforts to eradicate gangs and organized crime remain a top priority.
“As the indictment alleges, Mr. Henley led a criminal enterprise whose conduct ranged from murder to fraud,” he said in a statement. Henley, whose arrest in March 2025 followed a four-year extensive investigation, remains in federal custody. His arraignment is scheduled for April 8, where he will face the charges against him.
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Eugene Henley, who first gained prominence in the 1980s as a key figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips, was notably involved in the rise of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle’s career. In 1991, Henley served 13-years in prison for attempting to steal cocaine from an undercover deputy.
Despite his past, Henley has maintained a position of influence in Los Angeles, not only within the criminal underworld but also through his involvement in various social initiatives. He is the father of Daiyan Henley, a linebacker drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL.
If convicted of the charges, Henley could face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Henley’s notoriety and his ties to both the criminal and music industries. His arraignment on April 8 will mark the next crucial step in what could be a lengthy and high-profile legal battle.
