logo
Accused Crips leader charged in ‘mafia-like' crime ring busted by feds

Accused Crips leader charged in ‘mafia-like' crime ring busted by feds

Fox News28-03-2025

A rap executive and alleged high-level Crips street gang leader was charged with dozens of federal crimes Thursday for what the Department of Justice (DOJ) called a "mafia-like" criminal enterprise.
Eugene "Big U" Henley, Jr., 58, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act involving his alleged Los Angeles-based organized crime syndicate, according to the DOJ.
Other charges against Henley involve nine counts of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, five counts of Hobbs Act extortion, one count related to an interstate prostitution ring, 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of embezzlement for allegedly stealing from a charity that received federal funding and funding from the city of Los Angeles, one count of bank fraud, one count of tax evasion and two counts of willful failure to file a tax return.
The Hobbs Act prohibits "actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce," according to the DOJ.
"As the indictment alleges, Mr. Henley led a criminal enterprise whose conduct ranged from murder to sophisticated fraud that included stealing from taxpayers and a charity," Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California Joseph McNally said in a release announcing the charges.
"Eradicating gangs and organized crime is the Department of Justice's top priority. Today's charges against the leadership of this criminal outfit will make our neighborhoods in Los Angeles safer."
According to the indictment, Henley operated "Big U Enterprise," what the DOJ calls his "mafia-like" criminal organization from 2010 to March of this year, using his stature within the Rollin' 60s Crips street gang to expand his power through fear and intimidation.
However, the DOJ said Henley's "Big U Enterprise" operated separately from the gang.
"While the Big U Enterprise at times partnered with the Rollin' 60s and other criminal elements for mutual benefit, the Big U Enterprise is a distinct and independent criminal enterprise engaged in criminal activity including murder, extortion, robbery, trafficking and exploiting sex workers, fraud, and illegal gambling," according to the DOJ.
The murder claim is related to Henley's alleged 2021 killing of a rapper signed to his record label Uneek Music. Henley is accused of shooting and killing a victim, identified only as "R.W.," for recording a defamatory song about Henley.
Henley is also accused of using an anti-gang charity he founded and directed, Developing Options, to protect gang members with whom he was associated. He also allegedly embezzled funds from the charity, which was supported by grants from Los Angeles' Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Foundation. GRYD is also partially funded with federal grant money.
According to Yahoo! Sports, former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal donated to GRYD. So did current NBA player Draymond Green. The Developing Options website has a front-page photo of rapper Snoop Dogg posing with youth football players.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Henley helped launch the career of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, a fellow Rollin' 60s Crip who was shot and killed in Los Angeles in 2021.
Henley was also featured in the FX docuseries "Hip-Hop Uncovered."
"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. IRS-CI is proud to partner with fellow law enforcement organizations to investigate these criminal organizations to protect our communities from further harm."
The FBI was credited with assisting in the investigation.
"Mr. Henley looks forward to a vigorous defense of these charges and maintains his innocence," his attorney John Targowski told Fox News Digital.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

National Guard troops have temporarily detained civilians in LA protests, commander says
National Guard troops have temporarily detained civilians in LA protests, commander says

Washington Post

time29 minutes ago

  • Washington Post

National Guard troops have temporarily detained civilians in LA protests, commander says

WASHINGTON — National Guard troops already have temporarily detained civilians in the Los Angeles protests over immigration raids , the commander in charge said Wednesday, but they quickly turned them over to law enforcement. Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press and one other media outlet, also said about 500 of the National Guard troops have been trained so far to accompany agents on immigration operations . Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.

Kim Kardashian says immigrants in LA suffering 'fear and injustice' thanks to Trump immigration plan
Kim Kardashian says immigrants in LA suffering 'fear and injustice' thanks to Trump immigration plan

Fox News

time32 minutes ago

  • Fox News

Kim Kardashian says immigrants in LA suffering 'fear and injustice' thanks to Trump immigration plan

Despite working with President Donald Trump on issues in the past, Kim Kardashian indicated on Friday she does not support his administration's immigration policy. In a recent Instagram post, the reality TV star condemned operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling them "inhumane." "When we're told that ICE exists to keep our country safe and remove violent criminals — great. But when we witness innocent, hardworking people being ripped from their families in inhumane ways, we have to speak up. We have to do what's right," she stated in an Instagram story Friday. The Los Angeles native shared the post as her hometown continues to be shaken by violent anti-ICE riots that started last week in response to the federal law enforcement agency detaining illegal immigrants. DHS said ICE raids in L.A. over the weekend resulted in "hundreds of illegal aliens [being] arrested by ICE officers and agents," including "many with a criminal history and criminal convictions." Protests and clashes outside multiple locations in downtown L.A. have grown so chaotic that Trump ordered National Guard troops into the city, followed by several hundred U.S. Marines, to restore order. Some California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have accused the administration of exacerbating the situation. Despite the attacks on cops and other law enforcement officials by rioters, Kardashian argued in her post that immigrants are dealing with "fear and injustice" at the hands of the federal government. She added, "Growing up in LA, I've seen how deeply immigrants are woven into the fabric of this city. They are our neighbors, friends, classmates, coworkers, and family. No matter where you fall politically, it's clear that our communities thrive because of the contributions of immigrants. We can't turn a blind eye when fear and injustice keep people from living their lives freely and safely." "There HAS to be a BETTER way," Kardashian declared, concluding her post. The celebrity followed that post by sharing a video of pop star Doechii bashing Trump and ICE while accepting the of best female hip hop artist award at the BET Awards on Monday night. During her acceptance speech, the musician stated, "There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order," she said. "Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us." Despite Kardashian's harsh stance on Trump's immigration agenda, she has had a constructive relationship with him in the past. In 2019, she appeared at the White House alongside Trump to promote his criminal justice reform policies, calling them "magic." By that point, Kardashian had been at the White House several times to discuss criminal justice reform issues and successfully lobbied President Trump to pardon Alice Marie Johnson, who was serving life without parole for drug offenses. The White House did not immediately reply to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

LA Mayor Bass rips Trump, claims city part of 'national experiment' to test federal power amid anti-ICE riots
LA Mayor Bass rips Trump, claims city part of 'national experiment' to test federal power amid anti-ICE riots

Fox News

time41 minutes ago

  • Fox News

LA Mayor Bass rips Trump, claims city part of 'national experiment' to test federal power amid anti-ICE riots

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a press conference on Wednesday claimed the LA riots were "provoked by the White House," going so far as speculating the city is part of a national experiment to determine how much power the federal government has. Bass claimed local officials initially heard the administration was searching for violent felons, gang members and drug dealers. Yet, she alleged federal agents were raiding workplaces, "tear[ing] parents and children apart" and "run[ning] armored caravans through [the] streets." Her comments came after protests against immigration enforcement escalated into fiery riots over the weekend, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops and at least 500 Marines to the area. Local officials this week enacted a nightly curfew and announced hundreds of arrests, following the destruction of numerous local businesses and violence against police. "This was provoked by the White House," Bass said. "The reason why—we don't know. I posit that maybe we are part of a national experiment to determine how far the federal government can go in reaching in and taking over power from a governor, power from a local jurisdiction, and frankly, leaving our city and our citizens… in fear. … You're not trying to keep anyone safe, you're trying to cause fear and panic." She did not denounce the violent rioting during the press conference, alleging the rioting issue is contained to six square miles. "@MayorOfLA suggests things won't be 'peaceful' in Los Angeles until the Trump Administration stops enforcing immigration law and removing violent criminal illegals from the streets," the White House wrote in a response on X. "Why are these Radical Left lunatics so obsessed with defending criminals who have no right to be here?" The LA mayor was joined by multiple surrounding mayors and local officials from 30 cities, who argued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should not be enforcing the law in California. "We want the National Guard out of our region," said El Monte Mayor Jessica Ancona. "We want the military out of our region. They have no business here. And we also want ICE out of our cities. We need to keep our families safe." Downey Council Member Mario Trujillo and South Gate Mayor Maria Davila noted ICE raids continued in their cities on Wednesday. Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores claimed the Trump administration's actions were unconstitutional, and asked to send a message directly to the Marines on the ground. "The people that are here who have been called foreigners are not foreigners. These are Americans," Flores said. "When we lifted our hands, we swore the oath to defend the Constitution and to defend this country. That oath was to the American people. It was not to a dictator, it was not to a tyrant, it was not to a president. "It was to the American people and the people that are here … Whether they have a document or they don't, you're dealing with Americans," Flores said. "So please remember that if you're ever put in a situation or asked to do something." Bass later added Marines "are trained in warfare on foreign lands, not domestic," and said she did not know what role they could play without the ability to make arrests. Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons said her city created a special fund Tuesday night that will financially help immigrant families. "The city council and staff are working tirelessly to develop other means of support and assistance, doing more to support our community," Lemons said. "We will also be seeking out our residents who have been directly impacted so that we may hear from them and provide direct support." The White House and Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store