A former gang leader turned anti-gang activist has been arrested for leading a criminal group engaging in racketeering, extortion, human trafficking, fraud, and a murder.
Eugene Henley Jr., who previously led Los Angeles’ Rolling ‘60’s Neighborhood Crips street gang, supposedly left the gang life to rebrand himself as an anti-gang activist — but his stunt was either an attempt to conceal his crimes or a very short-lived rebrand.
Henley has since turned himself in to authorities after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a criminal complaint charging him with various racketeering crimes, extortion, human trafficking, fraud, and a murder.
In the criminal complaint, the DOJ accuses Henley’s criminal organization, “Big U Enterprises,” of operating “as a mafia-like organization that utilized Henley’s stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles.”
The announcement also included comments about the crimes from Joseph McNally, acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, who stated: “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.”
The DOJ highlighted the murder of an aspiring musician in 2021, accusing Henley of killing him. The musician, identified only as R.W., had been signed to a music label run by Henley and Mark Martin, another member of the criminal organization. The complaint alleges that Henley shot and killed the musician after he had recorded a song disparaging Henley.
Henley has also been accused of using his criminal organization to defraud donors and taxpayers via nonprofit groups it controlled, including the anti-gang group Developing Options — which was used to solicit donations from companies, celebrities, and even the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office. The money was then pocketed by Henley, according to the DOJ.
Henley’s music label is also wrapped up in the criminal enterprise, as they reportedly lied about their profitability and fraudulently applied for a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan.
“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,” Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, explained.
“Mr. Henley allegedly duped the County of Los Angeles by running a charitable organization that promoted anti-gang solutions while continuing criminal activity that was directly contrary to his charity,” Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office, explained.
At least 17 other alleged members of the criminal organization were also arrested, including Mark Martin and Sylvester Robinson.
Members & associates of the Rollin' 60s were charged with violent crimes, including a leader of the gang, Eugene Henley, aka "Big U," who is linked to the entertainment industry and a self-proclaimed community activist. Henley is a fugitive. Details: https://t.co/ki5Ni8H75B pic.twitter.com/yQ18KI4K2b
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) March 19, 2025
