Eugene "Big U" Henley Jr. has announced plans to represent himself in an upcoming federal RICO trial after his attorney, Arturo Hernandez, filed a motion to withdraw from the case. The news was first reported by AllHipHop.

In the court filing, Hernandez cited a complete breakdown in communication and trust between him and Henley, stating he could no longer provide effective representation. “The attorney-client relationship has deteriorated to the point where continued representation would be unfair to both the client and the court,” Hernandez wrote.

In response, Big U told the court he lacks the financial resources to hire a new attorney, prompting him to take the rare step of opting for self-representation.

Henley is one of 19 individuals indicted in a sweeping federal RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) case, which includes a wide range of serious charges. Prosecutors allege the group participated in a criminal enterprise responsible for multiple violent crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, illegal weapons possession, and money laundering.

The indictment reportedly outlines a years-long investigation into the alleged criminal organization, which federal authorities claim operated across multiple states and employed tactics of violence and intimidation to maintain power and financial gain.

Big U's trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2026, giving him nearly a year to prepare his defense—without legal counsel, unless his financial circumstances change.

Self-representation in federal court is considered highly risky, especially in complex cases involving RICO charges, due to the intricacies of legal procedure and the severity of potential penalties.

Source: AllHipHop