The suspect rap executive and high-level Crips Street gang leader was charged with dozens of federal crimes on Thursday by the Department of Justice (DOJ), known as a “mafia-like” criminal enterprise.
Eugene “Big U” Henry Jr., 58 and 58, is charged with one of the conspiracy to violate the affected Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, including allegedly being a Los Angeles-based organized crime syndicate.
Other accusations against Henry include nine Hobbs's fear tor attempts, five Hobbs' fear tor making, one count related to the interstate prostitution ring, 15 count wire fraud, five counts of embezzlement and five allegedly stolen from a charity that received federal funds and funds from the city of Los Angeles.
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(LR) Eugene “Big U” Henry, Alex Thomas, Norman Nixon and Chris Spencer will be participating in the 53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards Celebrity Golf Invitational on February 22, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (JC Olivera/Getty Images)
According to the DOJ, the Hobbs Act prohibits “actual robbery or extortion or attempted extortion that affects interstate or foreign commercial transactions.”
“As the indictment alleges, Henry led criminal businesses that ran from murder to sophisticated fraud, including stealing from taxpayers and charities,” a US lawyer for the Central District of California Joseph McNally said in his release, which announced the charges.
“Eliminating gangs and organised crime are top priority for the Department of Justice. Today's accusations of this crime outfit leadership will make our Los Angeles neighborhood safer.”
Henry ran “Big U Enterprises,” according to the indictment. This was the DOJ called it a “mafia-like” criminal organization from 2010 until March this year, and used its height within the Crips Street Gang in the 60s to widen its strength through fear and intimidation.
However, DOJ said Henry's “Big U Enterprise” runs separately from the gang.
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Henry is said to have carried out a “mafia-like” operation in Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“While the large U Enterprises were sometimes affiliated with other criminal elements in the '60s and for mutual benefit, large U Enterprises are clear and independent criminal enterprises engaged in criminal activities, including murder, extortion, robbery, human trafficking, sex workers, fraud and illegal gambling,” according to the DOJ.
The murder allegations are linked to Henry's alleged murder of the rapper in 2021, and were signed to his record label Uneek Music. Henry is accused of shooting and killing a victim who was only identified as “RW” for recording a song about Henry.
Doe Henderson and Eugene “Big U” Henley will be performing at “Hip Hop” Atlanta's “Hip Hop” premiere of the Atlanta premiere, held in Oak Atlanta, Georgia on February 8, 2021. (Parasgriffin/Getty Images)
Henry is also accused of using anti-gang charities that he founded, overseen and developed options to protect the gang members he was associated with. He is also allegedly embezzled funds from charities supported by grants from the Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Foundation in Los Angeles. Glide is also partially funded by federal grants.
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According to Yahoo! Sportsformer NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal has donated to Glide. So was the case with current NBA player Draymond Green. An optional website under development has a photo from the homepage of rapper Snoop Dogg posing with young football players.
Los Angeles Times Henry reportedly helped launch the career of late rapper Nippy Hustle, a fellow '60s rapper who was shot and killed in Los Angeles in 2021.
Henry was also featured in the FX docusary Hip Hop Discovery.
Eugene “Big U” Henley, Snoop Dogg and Trick Trick will be attending FX's Docu-Series. (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
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“RICO's accusations against Henry and his peers reflect a pattern of crime in which all perform gambits, ranging from fear to tax evasion, under the umbrella of a well-organized criminal organization led by Henry.”
“In addition, Henry is said to have fooled Los Angeles County by running a charity that promotes anti-gang solutions while continuing criminal activity that directly violates his charity. The IRS-CI is proud to partner with fellow law enforcement agencies to investigate these criminal organizations to protect them from further harm.”
The FBI was recognized as supporting the investigation.
“Henry looks forward to a fierce defense against these charges and maintains his innocence,” his lawyer, John Targowski, told Fox News Digital.
