Music Manager Eugene Henley Jr Considered A Fugitive, Among 10 People Charged In Federal RICO Case

Police charged Eugene Henley Jr., known to fans as “Big U,” March 19 on a series of racketeering charges, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a press release.

Henley Jr. is a known leader of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang in South Los Angeles, and is an entertainment entrepreneur, according to the DOJ. Authorities allege he ran a criminal operation that committed various racketeering crimes including extortion, human trafficking, fraud and the 2021 murder of an aspiring rap artist. Two additional alleged associates of the criminal enterprise — Sylvester Robinson, known as “Vey,” and Mark Martin, who goes by “Bear Claw” — were arrested on the same criminal complaint.

Authorities accused Henley Jr. of being a fugitive.

The music industry recognizes Henley Jr. as the former manager of the late Nipsey Hussle.

“The allegations in the complaint unsealed today reveal a criminal enterprise that engaged in murder, extortion, human trafficking, and fraud – all led by a supposed anti-gang activist and purported music entrepreneur who was nothing more than a violent street criminal,” acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally said, according to the DOJ.

Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said, “The lead defendant and others in this case have for too long gotten away with violent acts and stealing money from taxpayers and well-intentioned donors whether they use intimidation tactics or wield influence as purportedly rehabilitated original gangsters.”

“The FBI and our partners have worked for four years to bring justice in this case and will continue to root out this kind of criminal behavior plaguing the streets of Los Angeles.”

Law enforcement officials arrested 10 Rollin’ 60s members and associates accused of various federal crimes over a 24-hour period. The charges include drug trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses. Authorities already had four defendants in custody. Law enforcement is after the location of five other defendants, three of whom they believe will soon be in custody, according to the DOJ. Henley Jr. is one of two authorities have deemed to be fugitives.

Authorities included an affidavit with the criminal complaint filed March 17 and unsealed March 19, covering allegations from 2010 to the present day. The affidavit alleged Henley’s criminal organization, “Big U Enterprise,” functioned similarly to a mafia. Authorities claimed the organization used Henley’s long-standing ties to the Rollin’ 60s and other criminal gangs to intimidate businesses and residents in Los Angeles.

Big U Enterprise was described as 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.

Henley murdered an aspiring artist named R.W., who was signed to Henley’s music label, the affidavit said. Authorities claimed he and Martin visited Las Vegas to confront R.W. after the man recorded a song critical of Henley. Henley allegedly shot the would-be rapper in the head, removed his body from Interstate 15 and deposited it in a ditch.

They alleged that Henley and Robinson returned to Los Angeles and the former ordered studio employees away. Henley’s associate discarded security surveillance footage from the studio, according to the DOJ. Henley allegedly told witnesses to keep any information regarding the murder from law enforcement.

The DOJ also alleged Henley submitted a fraudulent application for a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan by claiming false earnings.(RELATED: Feds Reportedly Raided Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Mansion, Forced DNA Test)

Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher from IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office issued a statement saying, “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.”

Henley could receive a sentence of up to life in federal prison if found guilty.