Crime and Justice
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Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. made headlines after a sweeping 43-count indictment was levied upon the longtime music executive and alleged gang leader. Big U has entered a not guilty plea over racketeering and fraud, among other charges.
Local outlet Fox 11 reports that Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty ahead of a detention hearing set to take place on Thursday (April 10). Henley is accused of being a leading figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang collective and using his “OG” status to extort entertainers and celebrities who visited Los Angeles.
Henley is also accused of running high-stakes and illegal gambling sessions, and is accused of doling out violence, including the alleged murder of an up-and-coming rapper in Las Vegas. Henley’s ties to music were notable, and he is credited with helping jumpstart the career of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Big U turned himself in to the authorities but made an impassioned set of videos explaining how much he’s done for the community and that he’s done work to end the gang violence that grips Southern California.
If convicted, Big U could face hundreds of years behind bars.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. made headlines after a sweeping 43-count indictment was levied upon the longtime music executive and alleged gang leader. Big U has entered a not guilty plea over racketeering and fraud, among other charges.
Local outlet Fox 11 reports that Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty ahead of a detention hearing set to take place on Thursday (April 10). Henley is accused of being a leading figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang collective and using his “OG” status to extort entertainers and celebrities who visited Los Angeles.
Henley is also accused of running high-stakes and illegal gambling sessions, and is accused of doling out violence, including the alleged murder of an up-and-coming rapper in Las Vegas. Henley’s ties to music were notable, and he is credited with helping jumpstart the career of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Big U turned himself in to the authorities but made an impassioned set of videos explaining how much he’s done for the community and that he’s done work to end the gang violence that grips Southern California.
If convicted, Big U could face hundreds of years behind bars.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. made headlines after a sweeping 43-count indictment was levied upon the longtime music executive and alleged gang leader. Big U has entered a not guilty plea over racketeering and fraud, among other charges.
Local outlet Fox 11 reports that Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty ahead of a detention hearing set to take place on Thursday (April 10). Henley is accused of being a leading figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang collective and using his “OG” status to extort entertainers and celebrities who visited Los Angeles.
Henley is also accused of running high-stakes and illegal gambling sessions, and is accused of doling out violence, including the alleged murder of an up-and-coming rapper in Las Vegas. Henley’s ties to music were notable, and he is credited with helping jumpstart the career of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Big U turned himself in to the authorities but made an impassioned set of videos explaining how much he’s done for the community and that he’s done work to end the gang violence that grips Southern California.
If convicted, Big U could face hundreds of years behind bars.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
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Sean “Diddy” Combs is once more being accused of heinous sex crimes after a man filed a lawsuit alleging human trafficking, sexual assault, and other crimes. Manzaro Joseph is claiming that Diddy forced him to wear a penis mask at a birthday party of King Combs in 2015, adding that he allegedly saw LeBron James, Beyoncé, and other celebrities. TMZ broke the report that Manzaro Joseph filed a lawsuit against Diddy, alleging that he was drugged and sent to the Bad Boy Records honcho’s Star Island commune and made to perform sex acts and be at the beck and call of guests. Named in Joseph’s lawsuit were Emilio and Gloria Estefan, who also reside on Star Island, along with Rick Ross owning a residence there as well. Joseph says that the Estefans tried to help him after witnessing what they thought was a medical episode. The filing goes on to say that a bath towel-wearing LeBron James, then a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, urged the couple to handle the situation. Joseph, who apparently is white, said he then allegedly encountered Beyoncé, who was offended by his mask and wondered why he was at the party. Joseph then adds to claims that one of Diddy’s security people was allegedly ordered by his boss to parade Joseph around in sexually suggestive clothing and made to perform humiliating sex acts.This complaint demonstrates the depraved lengths plaintiffs will travel to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday. No sane person reading this complaint could credit this story. Mr. Combs looks forward to having his day in court where these lies – and the perverse motives of those who told them – will be revealed,” Diddy’s legal team told TMZ.
Also named in the filing were former porn star Adria English, Jacob “The Jeweler” Arabo, and alleged drug mule, Brendan Paul. The outlet was clear to note that Joseph is only suing Diddy, the Estefans, English, and Paul. The outlet also updated their story to share statements from the named individuals, all of whom are shooting down the wild claims.
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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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