Eugene Henley Jr., also known as ‘Big U,’ a prominent music executive and alleged leader of an LA gang, facing charges of racketeering, fraud, extortion, and embezzlement

LOS ANGELES — Music executive and alleged L.A. gang leader Eugene Henley Jr. was named in a 43-count federal criminal indictment on Thursday.

Henley, aged 58, is facing charges brought by prosecutors for a range of criminal activities including racketeering, fraud, extortion, tax evasion, and the misappropriation of funds meant for his charity, which is funded by public money.

Henley surrendered to authorities last week in connection with a federal complaint linking him to the 2021 killing of an aspiring rapper.

Prosecutors say Henley, also known as “Big U,” has ties to the notorious Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang.

According to law enforcement, Henley’s company, Big U Enterprise, functioned like an organized crime syndicate leveraging Henley’s connections with street gangs like the Rollin’ 60s to coerce businesses and individuals in Los Angeles.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office highlighted that the enterprise didn’t just rely on violence and intimidation to expand its influence, but also utilized various media channels such as social platforms, documentaries, podcasts, and interviews, alongside Henley’s standing as an “O.G.” (original gangster), to build a notorious reputation and instill fear surrounding the Big U Enterprise, its affiliates, and associates.

He was charged Thursday with one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO act, two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and extortion, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, nine counts of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, five counts of Hobbs Act extortion, one count of transportation of an individual in interstate commerce with intent that the individual engage in prostitution, 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of embezzlement, conversion, and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds, one count of bank fraud, one count of tax evasion, and two counts of willful failure to file a tax return.

His arraignment is scheduled for April 8 in downtown Los Angeles.

Also charged in Thursday’s indictment were Sylvester Robinson, 59, a.k.a. “Vey,” of Northridge; Mark Martin, 50, a.k.a. “Bear Claw,” of the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles; Termaine Ashley Williams, 42, a.k.a. “Luce Cannon,” of Las Vegas; Armani Aflleje, 38, a.k.a. “Mani,” of L.A.’s Koreatown; Fredrick Blanton Jr., 43, of South Los Angeles; and Tiffany Shanrika Hines, 51, of Yorba Linda. All are in federal custody and will be arraigned in the coming weeks.