Eugene “Big U” Henley has pleaded not guilty to a sweeping 43-count federal indictment that accuses him of operating a violent criminal enterprise associated with the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips and orchestrating the murder of a rapper in Las Vegas. The charges against Big U include serious offenses such as racketeering, murder, extortion, wire fraud, embezzlement, and transporting individuals for prostitution.
Federal prosecutors allege that Big U led an organization known as “Big U Enterprise,” which served as a front for various illegal activities, including human trafficking, illegal gambling, and financial fraud. According to the indictment, he ordered the murder of 21-year-old aspiring rapper Rayshawn Williams, who had released a diss track directed at him. Williams’ body was later discovered in a ditch along Interstate 15 in Las Vegas.
The indictment also cites violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the Hobbs Act, bank fraud, tax evasion, and misuse of public funds. Prosecutors claim that Big U submitted fraudulent applications for COVID-19 relief loans and diverted money from the city’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development program, resulting in significant taxpayer fraud that reportedly impacted high-profile individuals, including NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.
Big U, who surrendered to authorities last month, has consistently maintained his innocence. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison or a lengthy sentence spanning several decades. His trial is set to begin on May 20.
Previously, Big U served 13 years in prison after a 1991 conviction for attempting to steal cocaine from an undercover officer. As this high-profile case unfolds, it adds to the ongoing narrative of crime and legal challenges within the hip-hop community, raising questions about the intersection of music, violence, and criminal enterprises.
