Eugene “Big U” Henley, the purported longtime head of the notorious Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang, now plans to defend himself in the high-profile federal racketeering case after his attorney withdrew, according to reports. The major setback occurs amid a complicated 43-count indictment, including racketeering, extortion, fraud, and claimed involvement in the 2021 murder.
Eugene Henley Jr., 58 and popularly referred to as “Big U,” turned himself in to federal agents in March 2025 after being indicted in a sprawling 43-count indictment. Prosecutors accused Henley of operating an enterprise in the guise of lawful business schemes and community activism, all while still being affiliated with the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips in Los Angeles’ Hyde Park neighborhood. In public, he was known as a rehabilitated gang member turned entertainment mogul, yet law enforcement says he ran an array of illicit activities.
The indictment charges one count of conspiracy against the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, along with robbery, extortion, wire fraud, and embezzlement charges. The most serious charges include alleged involvement in the Jan. 2021 murder of Rayshawn Williams, an aspiring rapper named “R.W.” in court files. Prosecutors claim that Henley killed Williams in North Las Vegas—apparently in response to an alleged “diss track” aimed at him—and dumped the body along the Interstate 15 freeway.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally described Henley as “a murderer, a thief, a liar, and a cheat” during a press conference announcing the charges. Prosecutors further allege that Henley’s organization, Big U Enterprises, operated as a “mafia-like” entity, leveraging his reputation and gang affiliations to intimidate businesses and individuals across Los Angeles.
Henley pleaded not guilty on April 8, 2025, but U.S. Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin denied him bail, citing the danger he posed to the community, victims, and witnesses. Henley has remained in custody since.
On May 21, 2025, Henley’s attorney, Arturo Hernandez, withdrew from the case, citing irreconcilable differences. Court filings reveal Hernandez’s belief that the attorney-client relationship had broken down to a point where continued representation was untenable. Following this, Henley informed the court of his intent to represent himself, claiming he lacks the funds to hire new counsel.
This decision to proceed “pro se” marks a dramatic shift in the case. Given the complexity of the charges and the potential for decades in prison if convicted, Henley’s choice has stunned legal observers.
The trial, scheduled initially earlier, was postponed to May 2026 by U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha after prosecutors requested additional time to process a vast body of evidence. This includes:
- Over 20,000 intercepted audio calls
- Numerous audio and video recordings
- Law enforcement reports
- Search warrants and returns
- Criminal history documents
- Photographs and other media
RICO cases, designed to dismantle organized crime, are notoriously difficult to defend against due to their broad scope and the volume of evidence typically involved. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years, amplifying the stakes for Henley.
There has been speculation regarding Henley’s motivations. Some, including a YouTube commentator, suggest he may seek to access discovery materials to identify confidential informants. Such an angle might backfire, leaving him in greater legal jeopardy without an attorney screening sensitive information on his behalf and preparing an intelligible defense.
“You actually believe he can stand up against a prosecution?” Hell no,” the commentator said, reflecting the broad perception that self-representation in such an instance is a dangerous mistake. The adage saying “a person who represents himself has a fool for a client” hangs large over Henley’s strategy.
RICO laws, enacted to combat organized crime, allow prosecutors to link disparate criminal acts into a single narrative, holding leaders accountable for actions they may not have personally carried out. The case against Henley fits into an ongoing trend in high-profile RICO cases. In Atlanta, for example, 61 defendants associated with the “Stop Cop City” movement now find themselves charged with the same, with their trials slated for commencement this summer in batches of five—a process projected to take months.
These cases illustrate the law’s increasing application against disparate groups, ranging from street gangs to activist networks, for penalties that can put defendants away for many years.
