LOS ANGELES (AP) — An alleged leader of a Los Angeles street gang who's accused of murder, kidnapping and extortion appeared in court Thursday afternoon, a day after he posted a video declaring his innocence before surrendering to federal authorities.
Eugene Henley Jr., known as “Big U,” was one of 18 members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips suspected of a litany of federal crimes including drug trafficking, conspiracy, and firearms offenses, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
Before turning himself in on Wednesday, the self-described community activist recorded videos denying the accusations.
“This the price of being Black and trying to help somebody, trying to help your community and do what you can," Henley said. "You just guilty because somebody else don’t like you.”
Following his court appearance, he will remain in custody until his detention hearing March 31, the federal prosecutors' office said. His arraignment is scheduled for April 8. The Associated Press could not locate an attorney for Henley.
Henley, 58, and two others are accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO.
Henley allegedly masterminded a criminal operation that investigators dubbed the “Big U Enterprise,” and is also suspected of embezzling donations to Developing Options, an anti-gang charity he founded but which prosecutors say he used “as a front for fraudulent purposes and to insulate its members from suspicion by law enforcement.”
He is suspected in the 2021 killing of an aspiring rap musician who was signed to his recording company, Uneek Music, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Henley ran the enterprise like a mob boss and used his stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals in Los Angeles.
If convicted, he could face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
This undated booking photo released by the U.S. Attorney Office of Los Angeles shows Eugene Henley, Jr., a.k.a. "Big U". (U.S. Attorney's Office Los Angeles via AP)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run shot in the ninth inning for his second homer of the opener, powering the Boston Red Sox past the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Thursday.
Abreu had a part in every run for Boston. He singled and scored on a fielder’s choice grounder in the third. He homered in the fifth off Nathan Eovaldi and his game-winner was a 394-foot liner to right-center off new Rangers reliever Luke Jackson.
Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless eighth in his Red Sox debut for the win. Justin Slaten saved it with a perfect ninth.
Garrett Crochet struck out four, walked two and gave up two runs in five innings in his Red Sox debut. The 25-year-old was their youngest left-handed starter on opening day since Babe Ruth in 1918. Crochet started the opener last year for the White Sox, who traded him to Boston in December.
Eovaldi struck out nine without a walk, and allowed two runs in six innings. It was his second opening-day start in a row for Texas after starting three Boston openers from 2020-22.
Kevin Pillar, starting his 13th big league season with his 10th team, had an RBI single in his first at-bat for Texas in the second. He had a two-out single and scored on Kyle Higashioka's double for a 2-1 lead in the fourth.
Kristian Campbell, the 22-year-old Red Sox second baseman who made his big league debut, got his first hit on a sharp one-hopper right before Abreu's second homer.
Eovaldi's nine strikeouts matched the most by a Texas pitcher on opening day. The first five came when Red Sox batters swung and missed 76-78 mph curveballs.
Tanner Houck, an All-Star last season, starts for Boston in a matchup of first-round draft picks Friday night. Jack Leiter is set to go for the Rangers.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Texas Rangers' Robert Garcia walks off the mound after being called for a balk while throwing to Boston Red Sox's Wilyer Abreu in the seventh inning of an opening-day baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throws to the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of an opening-day baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet throws to the Texas Rangers in the first inning of an opening-day baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela follows through on a fielder's choice that scored Wilyer Abreu as Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka, right, looks on in the third inning of an opening-day baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Boston Red Sox's Wilyer Abreu rounds second past Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien, rear, as Abreu advances to third on Connor Wong's single in the third inning of an opening-day baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas Rangers' Kevin Pillar sprints around third on his way home, scoring on a Kyle Higashioka's double in the fourth inning of an opening-day baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas Rangers' Kyle Higashioka follows through on a run-scoring double as Boston Red Sox's Connor Wong and umpire Todd Tichenor look on in the fourth inning of an opening-day baseball game, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Boston Red Sox's Wilyer Abreu celebrates with the team in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of an opening-day baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
