LOS ANGELES — U.S. government are on the lookout for an established chief of a Los Angeles boulevard gang who investigators say ran a “mafia-like” felony endeavor that integrated homicide, human trafficking and extortion whilst he additionally labored as an leisure entrepreneur, federal prosecutors stated Wednesday.
Eugene Henley Jr., referred to as “Giant U,” was once considered one of 18 participants of the Rollin’ 60s Group Crips charged in a federal grievance with a litany of federal crimes together with drug trafficking, conspiracy, and firearms offenses, the U.S. Legal professional’s Place of job stated in a remark.
Ten gang participants have been arrested this week whilst Henley, 58, and two others are regarded as fugitives, the remark stated. Some defendants have been already in custody.
Henley allegedly masterminded a felony operation that investigators dubbed the “Giant U Undertaking,” and may be suspected of embezzling donations to Growing Choices, an anti-gang charity he based however which prosecutors say he used “as a entrance for fraudulent functions and to insulate its participants from suspicion by means of legislation enforcement.”
He’s suspected within the 2021 killing of an aspiring rap musician who was once signed to his recording corporate, Uneek Tune, in step with prosecutors.
The rapper, recognized in court docket paperwork as “R.W.,” was once allegedly shot and killed by means of Henley after he recorded a “defamatory tune” in regards to the gang chief at a Las Vegas studio, prosecutors stated. R.W.’s frame was once present in a ditch off Interstate 15 within the Nevada desolate tract.
Prosecutors stated Henley ran the endeavor like a mob boss and used his stature and long-standing affiliation with the Rollin’ 60s and different boulevard gangs to intimidate companies and folks in Los Angeles.
“Now not simplest did the endeavor enlarge its energy thru violence, concern, and intimidation, nevertheless it extensively utilized social media platforms, documentaries, podcasts, interviews, and Henley’s popularity and standing as an ‘O.G.’ (authentic gangster) to create status for – and stoke concern of – the Giant U Undertaking, its participants, and its mates,” the U.S. lawyer’s remark stated.
Henley is accused of organizing criminality together with extortion, theft, trafficking and exploiting intercourse employees, fraud, and unlawful playing. As well as, he is suspected of filing a fraudulent utility for a COVID-19 pandemic reduction mortgage for Uneek Tune.
It wasn’t identified Wednesday if Henley has an lawyer. If convicted, he may face a statutory most sentence of lifestyles in federal jail.
