Eugene “Big U” Henley Indicted By Grand Jury On Fraud, Robbery, Extortion Charges

A grand jury decided that there is enough evidence to charge Eugene “Big U” Henley with multiple criminal offenses after he was arrested in a gang takedown earlier this month. A press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, confirmed a 43-count indictment details the alleged acts the 58-year-old carried out as leader of a mafia-style enterprise. Officially, Henley is charged with the following: “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. Henley’s arraignment is scheduled for April 8, and his detention hearing is scheduled for April 10. If convicted, the supposed anti-gang activist faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the racketeering conspiracy count. Additionally, the bank fraud count is punishable by up to 30 years, the Hobbs Act conspiracy, robbery, and extortion, the wire fraud counts each carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, and the theft concerning programs receiving federal funds count each carry a penalty of up to 10 years.

Also charged in the indictment are the following individuals, all currently in federal custody, according to the attorney’s office: