In a shocking turn of events, music executive and community activist Eugene Henley Jr., known as “Big U,” has been taken into federal custody on grave charges of murder and fraud linked to his alleged leadership of a violent South Los Angeles street gang. The 58-year-old was apprehended after a high-profile press conference by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where officials revealed he was wanted for orchestrating a series of heinous crimes, including the 2021 murder of a young rapper.

According to authorities, Henley’s involvement in the murder stemmed from a dispute over a diss track recorded by the victim, 21-year-old Raan Williams. The rapper, who had been signed by Henley’s label, was shot dead in the Nevada desert shortly after the track was released. Investigators claim Henley’s DNA was found under the victim’s fingernails, further implicating him in the gruesome crime.

Beyond the murder charge, federal prosecutors allege that Henley engaged in a sprawling criminal enterprise that included extortion, robbery, human trafficking, and fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds. His alleged use of his status as a community leader to mask these activities has drawn ire from law enforcement, who paint a starkly different picture of Henley as a “murderer, thief, liar, and cheat.”

As he surrendered to authorities, Henley released several social media videos claiming his innocence and accusing rivals of conspiring against him. He has been in the spotlight recently, as the FBI ramped up its investigation into his operations, arresting numerous associates in a sweeping crackdown on gang-related activities across Southern California.

This dramatic arrest marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle against gang violence and corruption in Los Angeles. With Henley now in custody, federal officials are poised to reveal more details about the extensive network of crime linked to him, raising questions about the future of his purported community initiatives and the impact on those he claimed to help.