Big U has pleaded not guilty in his federal racketeering case, accusing him of murder, extortion and other crimes.
Big U Enters Plea
On Tuesday (April 8), the music exec and reported gang leader appeared in court in downtown Los Angeles and entered a not guilty plea to several charges, including murder, racketeering, extortion and fraud, XXL confirmed on Wednesday (April 9). Big U’s trial date has been set for May 20. If convicted, he is facing a life sentence.
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Big U Accused of Running Criminal Enterprise
On March 19, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California unsealed an indictment revealing Big U, born Eugene Henley Jr., was charged along with 18 other Rollin 60s gang members. The filing accuses the group of committing a series of racketeering crimes, including extortion, human trafficking, fraud and the 2021 murder of an aspiring rapper on U’s own record label.
Authorities say the rapper, who has been identified as Rayshawn Williams, traveled to Las Vegas at Big U’s expense to record music. However, Williams did not record at the agreed-upon rate and instead made a diss song aimed at Big U. Big U then allegedly drove to Vegas to confront Williams before shooting him in the head and leaving his body in a ditch in the desert off Interstate 15. Big U is also accused of submitting a fraudulent application for a PPP loan for his label Uneek Music.
He turned himself in the same day he was charged. But not before denying the allegations in a video on social media. “I ain’t been nothing but a help to our community,” Big U said. “But, I guess it is what it is. This is the price of being Black and trying to help your community and do what you can.”
XXL has reached out to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for comment.
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