A Los Angeles gang leader and hip-hop entrepreneur awaiting trial for running a criminal enterprise now faces charges he tried to have a witness murdered from behind bars — offering to pay two inmates to silence someone scheduled to testify against him.
Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., a longtime member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, was hit Wednesday with a superseding federal indictment that adds witness tampering, solicitation of violence, interstate sex trafficking, and wire fraud to his existing charges. Prosecutors say Henley made the murder-for-hire offer just last month.
Years of Extortion Preceded Murder Plot
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Henley spent years extorting a music and club promoter identified only as “Victim-1,” who was involved with an unlicensed cannabis dispensary in the city. When the victim stopped responding to Henley’s demands, his business was robbed. Henley then invited him to his home, where the stolen goods were displayed.
“That’s how you rob yourself,” Henley told the victim, according to prosecutors.
When that victim began cooperating with federal authorities, Henley allegedly approached two inmates at an undisclosed facility and offered payment to kill or seriously harm the witness to prevent testimony at trial.
LAX Chase and Detroit Connection
The charges stem from a broader case in which Henley is accused of leading a criminal organization. Previous allegations include chasing a Grammy-winning recording artist through Los Angeles International Airport to collect money owed to a Detroit associate.
Henley has cultivated a public image as a community organizer in South Los Angeles while allegedly running protection rackets and using violence to enforce his demands. The new charges suggest prosecutors believe he continued directing criminal activity even after his initial arrest.
The superseding indictment signals federal authorities have built a substantially stronger case since Henley’s original charges. Witness tampering and solicitation of murder carry severe penalties and demonstrate prosecutors’ confidence in their evidence — often a sign they have recordings or cooperating witnesses documenting the alleged murder plot.
Henley’s trial date has not been announced.
Key Points
- Henley faces new charges including witness murder solicitation, made from custody last month
- Prosecutors say he extorted a cannabis dispensary promoter for years, robbing him when he stopped paying
- The superseding indictment adds sex trafficking and wire fraud to his existing racketeering case
https://www.courthousenews.com/la-hip-hop-entrepreneur-accused-gang-leader-big-u-hit-with-new-charges/ – July 30, 2026
