In a significant law enforcement operation, a longtime leader of the South Los Angeles-based Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang has been charged with running a criminal enterprise responsible for numerous serious crimes, including racketeering, extortion, human trafficking, fraud, and even the murder of an aspiring rap musician. The announcement was made today by the Justice Department, detailing the charges against Eugene Henley Jr., 58, also known as “Big U,” from the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
Henley is charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Alongside him are two alleged accomplices, Sylvester Robinson, 59, known as “Vey,” and Mark Martin, 50, referred to as “Bear Claw.” Both Robinson and Martin were arrested today and are set to make their initial court appearances in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Henley is currently considered a fugitive.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally emphasized the serious nature of the allegations, stating, “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 charges aim to dismantle the leadership of this criminal organization and enhance the safety of neighborhoods across Los Angeles.
According to Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, the lead defendant and his associates have evaded justice for too long. The FBI, in collaboration with other law enforcement partners, has spent four years investigating this case to bring the perpetrators to justice and combat the ongoing gang violence in Los Angeles.
In a recent roundup, law enforcement agencies arrested a total of 10 members and associates of the Rollin’ 60s, who face various federal charges, such as drug trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and firearms offenses. Four defendants were already in custody prior to these arrests, and authorities are actively searching for five additional defendants, including Henley and another considered a fugitive.
The criminal organization, referred to in court documents as the “Big U Enterprise,” has reportedly operated as a mafia-like entity since 2010. Henley’s long-standing ties with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs have been leveraged to intimidate both businesses and individuals throughout Los Angeles. Henley has been recognized as a prominent leader of the Rollin’ 60s since the 1980s, and the Big U Enterprise has sought to expand its influence through a variety of illegal activities.
One shocking incident detailed in the affidavit involves the murder of an aspiring musician identified as “R.W.” in January 2021. R.W. was allegedly killed by Henley after recording a defamatory song about him. Following the murder, Henley and his associate reportedly attempted to cover up their crime by manipulating evidence and intimidating witnesses.
In addition to violent crimes, the Big U Enterprise is accused of committing fraud. Notably, Henley allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for a COVID-19 relief loan, falsely claiming that his music label, Uneek Music, had a significant profit when it actually faced a loss. The enterprise also misappropriated funds from Henley’s nonprofit organization, Developing Options, which was marketed as a charity helping at-risk youth in South Los Angeles but was allegedly used to fund the criminal activities of the gang.
These allegations highlight a dual-front operation where Henley exploited his charitable organization for personal gain while maintaining a façade of community service. The nonprofit received funding from the City of Los Angeles’s Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Foundation, further complicating the narrative of a supposed community activist engaging in criminal behavior.
If convicted, Henley faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in federal prison, while Robinson and Martin could each receive up to 20 years. The investigation into this case involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs, IRS Criminal Investigation, and local police departments.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell expressed pride in the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, stating that this operation represents a significant step forward in the fight against gang violence in the city. The community has endured a great deal of suffering, and these arrests bring hope for a safer future.
Criminal complaints and indictments contain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
