Eugene Henley, widely known as “Big U,” is facing the fight of his life after a federal grand jury hit him with a staggering 43-count indictment. The charges range from racketeering and murder to fraud and extortion, painting a grim picture of his alleged activities. The 58-year-old, once seen as a reformed gang leader turned community activist, now faces the very real possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Federal prosecutors allege that Henley ran a criminal empire under the guise of his community work. The indictment accuses him of using his ties to the notorious Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips to extort businesses, commit fraud, and orchestrate violent crimes, including murder. Authorities claim that despite his public persona as an advocate for youth programs and gang intervention, Henley was secretly operating a “mafia-like” enterprise that intimidated and exploited the very community he claimed to help.
The most serious allegations include the murder of Rayshawn Williams, an aspiring rapper who was found dead in the Las Vegas desert in 2021. Prosecutors believe Williams was executed after releasing a “diss track” that may have angered Henley. The case adds another layer of intrigue to the story, linking the worlds of hip-hop and organized crime.
Henley was taken into custody on March 19, 2025, after allegedly trying to flee. Court documents reveal that his phone mysteriously stopped transmitting location data hours before his arrest, raising suspicions that he was attempting to evade law enforcement. Authorities say they found evidence linking him to the charges, including a subpoena left behind at his home near a Seattle Mariners hat—a symbol reportedly linked to the Rollin’ 60s.
Henley’s past is well-documented. In the 1980s, he was a feared figure within the Rollin’ 60s Crips, one of Los Angeles’ most powerful gangs. His criminal activities landed him in prison for over a decade. Upon his release, he claimed to have turned over a new leaf, founding the nonprofit “Developing Options,” which was supposed to steer young people away from gang life.
His organization received millions in government funding, but prosecutors now say money was being funneled into illegal activities. Instead of using it to uplift the community, they claim Henley was using his influence to extort celebrities, control the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, and orchestrate violence.
One of the most shocking revelations from the indictment is Henley’s alleged role in a widespread extortion scheme known as the “check-in” system. According to prosecutors, athletes, musicians, and actors who wanted to work or move freely in Los Angeles had to “check in” with Henley for protection—or risk retaliation. Some reportedly paid large sums to avoid trouble.
One witness told investigators that NBA players and Hollywood figures had to seek Henley’s approval before attending events or working on projects in the city. The indictment even includes video footage of Henley saying,
“If you don’t check in, we’ll check you in ourselves.”
Aside from violence and extortion, Henley is accused of orchestrating multiple financial crimes. Prosecutors say he misused over $2 million in public funds for his nonprofit and even pocketed donations from NBA players. The indictment also alleges that he acted as a debt collector for illegal loans, sending associates to pressure individuals into paying back money owed to his criminal network.
Before his arrest, Henley took to social media to deny the allegations. In videos posted to the Crenshaw Cougars’ Instagram page, he dismissed the charges as an attack on his character.
“This is how they get you,” They take a couple of people and twist their words. There’s no real evidence.”
He said.
He also suggested that racial profiling played a role in his arrest.
“This is what happens when a Black man tries to help his community,”
He claimed. Prosecutors, however, argue that these statements were meant to intimidate potential witnesses and sway public opinion.
Henley’s arraignment is set for April 8, 2025, where he will formally respond to the charges. Legal experts predict a long and complex trial, with prosecutors determined to dismantle what they call a dangerous criminal enterprise.
The case has already sent shockwaves through Los Angeles, raising serious questions about the intersection of gang culture, the entertainment industry, and nonprofit funding. If convicted, Henley could spend the rest of his life in federal prison, marking a dramatic downfall for a man who once claimed to be a force for positive change.
Why is there a picture of Shaquille O’Neal on the story? Lol
Why Shaq pic on the article? Lol