• Eugene "Big U" Henley, a leader of the Rollin' 60s Crips, faces multiple federal charges, including murder, extortion, and racketeering.
• Henley allegedly ran a mafia-like organization that intimidated businesses and utilized social media to maintain control.
• He is charged with the murder of a young rapper who recorded a diss song about him and other serious crimes linked to his nonprofit.
• Authorities allege Henley embezzled funds from his nonprofit, Developing Options, while masquerading as an anti-gang activist.

Eugene Henley Jr., widely known as "Big U," has been apprehended by federal authorities and charged with serious crimes, including murder, racketeering, human trafficking, and extortion. Federal prosecutors presented a detailed complaint against the leader of the Rollin' 60s Crips, accusing him of operating a criminal enterprise referred to as the "Big U Enterprise," which authorities liken to a mafia-like organization. Henley was taken into custody following a brief search, along with several co-defendants linked to this sprawling criminal investigation, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney's Office SFGate.

Henley, 58, has a lengthy history associated with gang culture in Los Angeles. Over the years, he has become an influential figure, particularly within the Rollin' 60s chapter of the larger Crips gang. Federal investigators allege that beneath his facade as an anti-gang activist, Henley exploited his gang stature to intimidate individuals and businesses, and extort money from them. Authorities claim he often sent messages through social media and various entertainment platforms while managing his record label, Uneek Music. Henley has maintained his innocence, asserting he provides beneficial contributions to the community through his roles in sports and youth programs.

Among the most grave accusations against Henley is his alleged involvement in the murder of an aspiring rapper known only as "R.W." According to court documents, Henley and his alleged accomplice, Sylvester Robinson, confronted the young musician in Las Vegas after he recorded a diss track directed at Henley, which prosecutors say contributed to his murder. R.W.'s lifeless body was later found in a desert area, further underscoring the violence attributed to Henley's alleged criminal operations. Visual evidence reportedly captured the moments leading up to the tragedy, and Henley is accused of ordering the destruction of this footage to conceal his involvement LA Times.

In addition to murder, Henley faces serious fraud allegations, having allegedly submitted falsified applications for COVID-19 relief funds, representing that Uneek Music was profitable when it was not. If convicted, Henley could be sentenced to life in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally declared this operation a significant strike against organized crime in Los Angeles, asserting that it demonstrates the focus on eliminating such destructive elements from the community.

The arrest of Henley forms part of a broader crackdown on gang-related activities, as authorities emphasize their commitment to safeguarding neighborhoods from the violence and intimidation associated with gang culture. This highest-profile case serves to underscore the gritty reality behind the glamorized view of gang leadership often portrayed in modern media.

For further details on this case, refer to the original articles on CBS News, Newsweek, and LA Times.