Crime and Justice
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Eugene Henley Jr., also known as Big U, is reportedly a prominent leading figure in the infamous Rollin’ 60s Crips gang. Big U was charged this week in a 43-count indictment that includes RICO charges, extortion, and more.The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California issued a press release via the U.S. Department of Justice website’s Central District of California website segment. In the press release, Big U and six other defendants were named in the sweeping indictment, and the charges all stem from federal investigators alleging that Henley used intimidation and street violence to get others to bend to his will.
From Justice.gov:
Eugene Henley, Jr., 58, a.k.a. “Big U,” of the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and extortion (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, nine counts of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, five counts of Hobbs Act extortion, one count of transportation of an individual in interstate commerce with intent that the individual engage in prostitution (Mann Act), 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of embezzlement, conversion, and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds, one count of bank fraud, one count of tax evasion, and two counts of willful failure to file a tax return.
Also named in the state’s indictment release were:
Sylvester Robinson, 59, a.k.a. “Vey,” of Northridge;Mark Martin, 50, a.k.a. “Bear Claw,” of the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles;Termaine Ashley Williams, 42, a.k.a. “Luce Cannon,” of Las Vegas;Armani Aflleje, 38, a.k.a. “Mani,” of Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles;Fredrick Blanton Jr., 43, of South Los Angeles; andTiffany Shanrika Hines, 51, of Yorba Linda.
Investigators pointed to Henley’s alleged operations hub, known in court documents as Big U Enterprises, for being similar to the Mafia’s style of using violence, extortion, robbery, and even murder to advance the will of the organization.
“As the indictment alleges, Mr. Henley led a criminal enterprise whose conduct ranged from murder to sophisticated fraud that included stealing from taxpayers and a charity,” Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally shared in the press release. “Eradicating gangs and organized crime is the Department of Justice’s top priority. Today’s charges against the leadership of this criminal outfit will make our neighborhoods in Los Angeles safer.”
As seen in the indictment that was handed in on March 26, investigators say that from 2010 until March of this year, Henley’s power and influence extended beyond gang and street culture and expanded into the entertainment world. There have been swirling reports of Henley sanctioning high-stakes gambling meetups, trafficking sex workers across state lines, fraud, and more. Henley allegedly used his status a longtime member of the Crips and the respect it garnered to exact his will.
Henley, Robinson, and Martin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the racketeering conspiracy count. The bank fraud charge levied against can carry up to 30 years in federal prison.
Read the full indictment here.
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Kay Flock, a Bronx Drill rapper who notched several local hits en route to what looked to be a promising career, was arrested in 2021 for allegedly shooting and killing a rival. Earlier this week, Kay Flock was convicted on attempted murder and extortion-related charges but was not convicted of murdering Hwascar Hernandez.
As spotted on the Inner City Press website, Kay Flock, real name Kevin Perez, was convicted on March 20 after court proceedings that began last week on March 11 when opening statements were heard. According to the publication, Flock will not face the death penalty for the 2021 killing of Hernandez but could very well face life in prison. Flock
Flock will await sentencing on the convictions of racketeering conspiracy, use of a gun resulting in death, attempted murder and assault with a weapon in furtherance of racketeering, and use of a firearm for attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. The court, however, did not go forward with the murder in aid of racketeering charge charge related to the Hernandez killing, accepting Flock’s self-defense plea.
On Instagram, Kay Flock celebrated not being found guilty on the murder charge and issued a message to his fans via the Story feed:
I MADE THE JUDGE CRY ‘HE SAID NOW HE NOT FORCE TO GIVE ME LIFE.’ ALHAMDULILLAH EVERYTHING GOOD NOT GOOD AND EVERYTHING BAD NOT BAD. JUST GOTTA STAY HUMBLE TILL THE OUTCOME OF YOUR SITUATION AND SEE WHAT ALLAH GOT FOR YOU. CHIN UP CHEST OUT SH*T AINT OVER NO WERE NEAR!! REMAIN A G AND STAY SUCKA FREE. NEVER FOLD NEVER WILL. FREE THE THERLBREAD ONES KILL ALL RATS
Kay Flock will be sentenced on July 16.
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Adrien Broner, a boxer and former world champion whose career was marred by legal issues, found himself connected to the ongoing matter involving alleged gang leader Eugene “Big U” Henley. In the complaint filed against Big U, Adrien Broner was named in the document and allegedly used trick dice to rob NBA players of $6.5 million in a high-stakes gambling game.
As seen on Total Pro Sports, a user on X highlighted a portion of the federal complaint against Big U that centered on a 2019 dice game and a boxer with the initials “A.B.,” assumed here to be Adrien Broner. The document states that Broner, by way of a cooperating witness, was hosting the high-stakes celebrity dice game where the scheme unfolded.
In a Los Angeles Times report, the cooperating witness alerted authorities about the buy-in dice game that took place in June 2019. Broner and other unnamed individuals were in attendance with known NBA players. Henley became involved because Broner reportedly didn’t “check in” with him and ordered people in his alleged operation to physically harm Broner and return the stolen money from the trick dice.
The witness added that NBA players and other entertainers would need to alert Henley of their visits to make certain no harm would come their way and that any parties or event they attend would be safe to do so. Failure to check in with Henley resulted in retaliation from the alleged “Big U Enterprise.”
The Times added in its reporting that Henley personally confronted Broner after he stole $1.5 million from a current NBA All-Star player and cheated a former NBA All-Star out of $5 million. Authorities oversaw the meeting between Henley and one of Broner’s victims, and in this same meeting, said that he would charge $100,000 to get the money back for the duped NBA players.
Adrien Broner last fought in 2024, losing to Blair Cobbs.
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Big U, an alleged top-ranking Rollin’ 60s Crips gang member and community activist, was arrested and charged with other individuals this week in connection to a RICO case. Big U, who was formerly connected to the late Nipsey Hussle, is accused of running a Mafia-like criminal enterprise by authorities, claims that U say are overblown due to Internet chatter.
In a report from the Los Angeles Times, Eugene “Big U” Henley, 58, was a massive influence on the Hip-Hop scene in Los Angeles, and his involvement with the gang world was notable considering he spent recent times as a community leader looking to quell violence on the streets. Now, Henley is facing charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and more.
As the Times notes, Big U was instrumental in boosting the career of Nipsey Hussle, who was also a member of the Rollin’ 60s. His connection with the music scene and his reported position in the Crips operation was framed by federal investigators as that of a mob boss with people visiting Los Angeles being required to “check in” with Henley to move untouched about the city. Henley is alleged to have put the “check in” requirement toward musicians and professional athletes alike.
In the 107-page federal complaint, officials say that Henley ran his self-styled enterprise similarly to how the Mafia operates, using his “stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals” across the city, according to the complaint.
When authorities first announced their intent to go after Henley, they named him a fugitive in a news conference but Henley eventually turned himself in. As reported by TMZ, Henley recorded a video ahead of turning himself in, stating that he’s done nothing wrong and has contributed heavily to his community. Over a dozen other individuals connected to Henley were also taken into custody.
U.S. Atty. Joseph T. McNally spoke at Wednesday’s news conference and said that Henley’s image as a music executive and community leader was false.
“[Henley] has maintained the image of an entertainment industry entrepreneur running a music label and of somebody who gives back to the community here in Los Angeles,” McNally said. “The facts alleged in the complaint paint a very different picture. It is one of a murderer, a thief, a liar and a cheat and the criminals that enabled him.”
Henley is accused of kidnapping and killing a young rapper and discarding his body in the Las Vegas desert. FBI investigators say that the hit was carried out due to disrespect and ordering a robbery of an unlicensed marijuana dispensary over unpaid extortion payments. Henley is also alleged to have taken charity donations from the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green, only to pocket the money for himself.
Sylvester Robinson, 59, allegedly Henley’s second-in-command, and alleged lieutenant Mark Martin, 50, are both accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Along with Henley, Termaine Williams, aka “Luce Cannon,” was charged with robbery, Armani Aflleje, aka “Mani,” was charged with transporting an individual to engage in prostitution, and Tiffany Hines was charged with bank fraud.
As seen in the videos above, Big U is claiming innocence.
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Adan Manzano, a Telemundo reporter out of Kansas City, was in New Orleans in February to cover Super Bowl LIX. After crossing paths with Danette Colbert, Adan Manzano was later found dead, and now Colbert faces charges of second-degree murder.
As reported by local news outlet KHOU, Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley announced at a Tuesday (March 18) news conference that Dannette Colbert now faces a second-degree murder charge after previously being booked on charges of fraud and theft after Adan Manzano was found dead at a Kenner hotel.
Colbert was seen on security video at the hotel in question alongside Manzano and leaving alone one hour afterward. Police say that Colbert reportedly used the reporter’s credit card after he died. Manzano’s cell phone and credit card were later found at Colbert’s residence in Slidell.
In addition, an accomplice of Colbert, Ricky White, was arrested in Florida on charges of simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transfer of monetary funds, bank fraud, and computer fraud. White is currently awaiting extradition to Louisiana to face the charges.
Colbert, who has a lengthy criminal record, is currently jailed at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
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Soulja Boy was hit with a lawsuit back in 2021, with a woman alleging that the rapper sexually assaulted her and kept her against her will. Now, Soulja Boy is heading to civil trial in the matter and has long since denied the explosive claims against him.
As spotted in USA Today, Soulja Boy, real name DeAndre Cortez Way, will be facing civil trial in Santa Monica, Calif., after a former personal assistant accused the star of several heinous charges, and some of the details explained in the matter are disturbing, so we urge caution in further reading.
We tried to locate the news release mentioned in USA Today‘s report, but our search on the Los Angeles County Superior Court website did not turn up anything. Hip-Hop Wired has requested the full news release regarding the case and will update this report should that request be filled.
As mentioned above, the charges against Way, 34, were first filed in 2021 by a Jane Doe who says she started working for the rapper in 2018. The woman claimed that Way would send inappropriate images to her shortly after she was hired and that they began a romantic union that devolved into a violent one. The woman claimed that Soulja enacted “numerous instances of physical violence” along with “sexual assaults, spitting on her body, and threats of physical violence and death.”
Soulja Boy came out in 2021, denying the claims and promising to fight the charges with his legal team. In that same year, just months after the aforementioned matter he’s slated to go to trial over, another woman filed a lawsuit that levied more charges of assault and partner violence.
Thus far, it doesn’t appear that Soulja Boy has made any public comments regarding the civil trial, which should hear opening statements in the coming days.
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Jay-Z has filed a lawsuit against the Jane Doe who accused him of raping her along with Sean “Diddy” Combs who later withdrew the complaint. In the new filing, Jay-Z is also suing the attorneys who represented Jane Doe, making good on the mogul’s earlier comments regarding the matter.
As reported in detail by NBC News, Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, filed a defamation lawsuit against Jane Doe on Monday (March 3) after she accused the Brooklyn native and Combs of raping her in 2000 when she was 13. From the moment the charges came forth, Carter has been adamant that the accusation was false and his team framed it as a money grab by attorneys Tony Buzbee and David Fortney.
A portion of the lawsuit reads that Jane Done’s legal team “were soullessly motivated by greed, in abject disregard of the truth and the most fundamental precepts of human decency.”
Carter also named the aforementioned attorneys and Buzbee’s law firm in the defamation lawsuit, which was filed in federal court for the Southern District of Alabama. Jane Doe currently resides in the state of Alabama. Jane Doe withdrew her complaint in February with prejudice, which asserts that a further claim cannot be made in the case.
Jane Doe was interviewed by NBC News, sharing details about the alleged rape that she claimed took place at the 2000 MTV VMAs afterparty at someone’s home. However, the woman’s story was reportedly filled with inconsistent details that didn’t line up and thus put Jay-Z and his lawyers on the offensive against Buzbee and his claims.
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A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, 36, was found not guilty. Pretty Flacko was charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm aka firing a gun at his former friend and A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli.
https://x.com/meghanncuniff/status/1891895289201434700
The jury began deliberating on Tuesday (Feb. 18) morning and reached their verdict by late afternoon. The jury consisted of seven women and five men and their decision was reportedly unanimous.
The prosecution alleged that Rocky fired two shots at Relli during a dispute on a street in Hollywood back in 2021. The trial featured dramatic testimony from Relli (Rocky passed on testifying) and bitter arguing between the prosecution and the defense (each side accused the other of perjury). Rocky’s longtime girlfriend attending the trial and occasionally bringing along their two baby sons added to the audacity of the proceedings.
The dutiful reporting of legal journalist Meghann Cuniff has given outside observers a direct look into the happenings of the trial as they occurred. Below, we’re sharing Cuniff’s YouTube channel that featured the verdict reading.
Social media followed this trial closely and is reacting to the verdict. See what’s happening in the gallery.
This story is developing.
Additional reporting by D.L. Chandler.
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A lawsuit filed by Jane Doe represented by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee against Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging rape and assault has been dismissed. Jay-Z, via his Roc Nation outfit, issued a statement after the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.
As seen on Variety, the lawsuit, filed Friday (Feb. 14) by Tony Buzbee and Antigone Curis on behalf of Jane Doe, was reviewed by the outlet in full. As the outlet notes, a portion of the dismissal stated that the new filing, “hereby gives notice that the above-captioned Action is voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice.” In essence, this case cannot be entered again as it stands currently.
A statement was posted on Roc Nation’s social media pages. We’ve shared a portion below:
Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere. The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.
This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions. The system has failed.
Jane Doe initially filed the claim last October against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that when she was 13 in the year 2000, the record label mogul raped her during a MTV Music Video Awards afterparty. In December of 2024, Jay-Z was added to the lawsuit.
Jay-Z immediately addressed the lawsuit in a series of public statements and legal maneuvers, aiming much of his vitriol toward Buzbee and calling the claims against him an elaborate scheme to pilfer money out of him.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are reacting to the news and Jay-Z’s statements. No word yet has emerged from Diddy’s camp.
Keep scrolling to see the reactions on X.
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Adan Manzano, a Kansas City reporter with Telemundo, was found dead in his hotel room in New Orleans over the weekend. Police have arrested a suspect in the case, who had a history of drugging men and robbing them.
NBC Sports reports that Adan Manzano, 27, was in New Orleans on behalf of Telemundo in Kansas City to cover Super Bowl LIX. The outlet adds that Manzano was seen on surveillance video from the hotel camera feeds from Feb. 5 that showed him walking into his room early on the morning of his death with the suspect, with the video showing the suspect leaving Manzano’s room unaccompanied.
Area police announced the arrest of Danette Colbert, 48, and a resident of Sidell, La. Colbert was arrested for attempting to use Manzano’s credit cards at several stores, and a subsequent search of Colbert’s home turned up Manzano’s phone, other credit cards, and drugs.
Source: Kenner Police Department / Kenner Police Department
Colbert was listed by authorities as a “career criminal” and was involved in what they also framed as “fraud schemes” in recent times. In 2022, Colbert was twice arrested in separate matters on felony charges of grand larceny and administering a drug to aid in a felony crime. The pattern explained by the outlet was that Colbert would target and drug men and then steal their personal items. In both cases, the men did not want to go on record and testify against her. It isn’t known if those cases occurred in New Orleans proper.
Telemundo KC took to their Facebook page and wrote a moving tribute in honor of Manzano.
“[Adan] was an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work. We will deeply miss Adam, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community,” a portion of the post read.
Adan Manzano was a widower and single father, raising a 2-year-old daughter.
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