Who is big? CRIPS leader accused of activity ‘similar to mafia’

Eugene Henley Jr., known as “Big U”, a leader of a subset of Los Angeles crypt gangs, has been accused of a series of federal crimes, which include extortion, fraud, extortion and murder.

Federal authorities claim that Henley directed a criminal company called “Big U Enterprise”, disguising himself as an anti-gang activist while dedicated to organized crime. If it is declared guilty, you could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Who is big?

Henley, 58, has been a significant figure in gang culture for decades, gaining influence within the 60s of the 60s of the 60s of the 60s of the Los Angeles Crips since the 1980s. It has also been involved in the entertainment industry, forming a record label and collaborating with several musical artists.

Prosecutors claim that despite their public image as a community activist, he directed a criminal operation that was involved in extortion, fraud, drug trafficking and people trafficking.

Henley’s non -profit organization, developing options, was supposedly used as a front for fraudulent activities. Federal researchers claim that he embezzled great donations for youth programs and redirected funds to personal accounts. Some of the donors included prominent celebrities and professional athletes.

Murder accusations

Among the most serious accusations against Henley is his alleged participation in the 2021 murder of an aspiring rapper identified as “RW” in judicial documents. After the musician failed to fulfill the contractual obligations and recorded a “DISS song” about Henley, the prosecutors claim that Henley and his associate, Sylvester Robinson, faced RW in Las Vegas, where he was recording in the study of a producer. Then they supposedly shot him and removed from his body in the Nevada desert.

According to the federal complaint, Henley then ordered study employees to eliminate confrontation surveillance images and threatened witnesses to guarantee their silence. His criminal company was supposedly based on intimidation, violence and social networks to maintain control over their operations.

Covid fraud accusations

Henley is also accused of submitting fraudulent applications for Covid-19 pandemic aid. Prosecutors say that his record label, UNEEK Music, was operating with a gain of $ 200,000 in 2019, despite the financial records that show a loss of $ 5,000. This misrepresentation supposedly helped him illegally ensure financial aid related to pandemic.

The criminal complaint also establishes that Henley’s fraudulent activities extended beyond the pandemic relief loan. It allegedly used development options to obtain funds from the office of Mayor of Los Angeles through the Youth Development Foundation for Gang Reduction (GRYD), which receives federal funds.

Federal charges and arrests

The United States prosecutor’s office announced the charges against Henley and another 18 members of the 60 -year -old crypt on Wednesday. While several coacked were arrested, Henley and two others remain fugitive. The authorities described him as the intellectual author behind a network that used his state “OG” (original gangster) to command fear and control several criminal companies.

“The accusations in the complaint revealed today reveal a criminal company that was dedicated to murders, extortion, trafficking in persons and fraud, all led by an alleged anti-gang activist and alleged music entrepreneur who was nothing more than a violent street criminal,” said the United States prosecutor, Joseph McNally in a statement.

Henley, responding to charges in a Instagram Video, denied the accusations, stating: “I have not been anything but help for our community. It is crazy, but I am going to enter, however, because I do nothing.”

If it is convicted, Henley faces a life imprisonment in the Federal Prison. His alleged associates, Robinson and Mark Martin, each face 20 years after bars. Federal authorities have promised to continue their research on the widest network linked to Henley’s company.