Shocking new details about what Eugene “Big U” Henley has allegedly been doing behind bars have surfaced as the U.S. government pushes to keep him detained rather than allow him to attend his son’s funeral.
In a filing submitted to the judge overseeing his RICO case, federal prosecutors argued that Big U is far too dangerous to be released even briefly while awaiting trial.
“Ultimately, the defendant’s release — for any amount of time — creates far too great a risk to justice in this case, and to human life,” “Defendant should remain detained for the safety of the community and the victims and witnesses to his crime.”
As part of their argument, prosecutors laid out the extent of Big U’s alleged rule-breaking while in custody. A major issue, they said, was his misuse of jail phones. According to the filing, Big U used other inmates’ phone numbers and accounts to make hundreds of unauthorized calls.
In many instances, inmates reportedly verified their voices before handing the phone over to Big U, who would then freely use it. Prosecutors also claim he instructed callers not to greet him with traditional Islamic phrases to avoid detection.
Most of these calls, they say, were made to his girlfriend — not his wife. All calls to his wife were made through his own approved account.
During the calls with his girlfriend, Big U allegedly discussed methods to bypass jail mail rules so he could receive illicit photos. Prosecutors say he also engaged in phone sex with her and collaborated on a “scheme” in which she would enroll in a single paralegal course so she could qualify for visitation.
But the conversations weren’t limited to romance. Prosecutors allege he used “coded communications” to relay instructions such as ensuring no co-defendant accepts a plea deal unless he does, coordinating messages to associates awaiting trial outside custody, contacting a confidential informant, and discussing plans to spend six figures on lawyers, paralegals, and investigators — despite having a court-appointed attorney.
These revelations come as Big U awaits the judge’s decision on whether he’ll be allowed to attend the Islamic funeral rites for his 34-year-old son, Jabari Henley, who was murdered on Halloween. The hearing to determine if he will be granted temporary release is set for Monday (Nov. 17).
In his request for compassionate release, Big U’s attorney argued, “The death of one’s child represents an unparalleled human tragedy. The opportunity to attend and participate in the funeral rites is not merely a matter of personal preference, but a fundamental expression of human dignity.”
Big U remains detained pre-trial at MDC Los Angeles.
