The Best Episodes of Gangsters: America's Most Evil

John Gotti was the last of the classic gangsters in New York City; unlike other mafia chiefs, he loved attention; he ran a multi-million dollar illegal operation that thrived on prostitution, extortion, gambling, theft and drugs.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

This episode explores the gangland matriarch Maria "Chata" Leon and the criminal underworld created by her murderous brood of gangbanger children. Leaders of the Drew Street Clique of the Avenues Gang, this family ruled a small pocket of Los Angeles for decades. By way of slinging crack cocaine and methamphetamine Maria Leon accrued a great amount of wealth but her status in the hood dwarfed any financial gain she could earn. With an air of invincibility, Maria Leon commanded a reign of terror in L.A. only to be brought to justice by vast federal RICO indictments and multiple military style police invasions into her neighborhood. Maria now awaits her third deportation in federal prison in California.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Ludwig Tarzan Fainberg was a middleman between the Russian Mafiya and the Medellin Cartel in Colombia, selling Cold War vessels.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Albanian immigrant Alex Rudaj muscle in on Italian Mafia territory and turned his gang into a sixth family of organized crime.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

The patriarchs of the Black Mafia Family controlled one of the largest cocaine distribution gangs.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

This episode of features the case of 'Q', the Motor City connect. In the shadows of a broken city, Quasand Lewis made millions by way of a complex drug trafficking organization. At the height of 'Q's success in Detroit the Lewis Organization raked in $178 million in drug profits. Following the drugs and the money, the federal government launched "Operation Falling Star" in order to take down 'Q' and build the largest drug related prosecution in the history of the state of Michigan.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

The Johnston Gang was a family affair, consisting of Bruce Johnston Sr. and his brothers David and Norman Johnston; the gang terrorized the Mason-Dixon Line throughout the 1970s, burglarizing and intimidating victims.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

An in-depth look at Cheng Chui Ping, the woman who was involved in human trafficking for over 20 years.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

The Harvey Hustlers, a notorious gang, dominates the streets of Harvey, La., for three decades; the gang holds a virtual monopoly over the illegal drug trade in the area and is believed to be responsible for at least 45 homicides.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

By connecting the Mexican and Colombian drug cartels, Juan Ramon Ballesteros became one of the most powerful drug lords south of the border.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

An in-depth look at the leader of a sex trafficking enterprise, Rances Ulices Amaya and how his victims fought back.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

This episode profiles the rise and fall of Albert "Alpo" Martinez, dubbed the Mayor of Harlem. Alpo and two childhood friends, Azie Faison and Rich Porter, would become kings of the inner city in the mid-1980 s. But like the high itself, the cocaine brotherhood did not last. Azie narrowly escaped with his life. Rich Porter would not be so lucky. Alpo would admit to killing his old friend and 13 other murders. He s now serving hard time for his crimes.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

How James Spencer Springette went from selling juice to tourists to distributing cocaine.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

No description available

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

This episode focuses on the gangster of suburbia who led a double life, Alejandro Corredor. He seemed like an average family man living in the small town of Fairway, Kansas. But in his other life, he was Kansas City's cocaine pipeline, moving massive shipments from Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel. With the money from drugs, he invested in a local gangsta rap group called Block Life. Eventually, several members of Block Life helped him sell drugs to some of the most notorious gangs in Kansas City. As the money from drugs and the success of Block Life grew, Alejandro strove to keep a balance between his two worlds. But his dealings with the Sinaloa Cartel led him down a dangerous path that would threaten to destroy everything.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

No description available

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Richard Kuklinski, one of the most notorious killers in American history, becomes convicted of the murders of four people, but likely killed dozens more; initially a hit man for the Mafia, Kuklinski eventually carries out hits of his own.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Profiling Kaboni Savage, a ruthless drug dealer and murderer; Savage commits murder to protect his interests, even against his rivals' families; Savage's own words ultimately seal his fate.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Tied as a boy to Mr. Untouchable, heroin kingpin Nicky Barnes, Pistol Pete came up in the game, growing up in the Soundview projects of the Bronx. In the mist of the 1980s crack epidemic, Pistol Pete earned his nickname after starting his own gang--Sex, Money, Murder. He and his underlings incorporated the organization in an effort to launder the drug money and expanded their operations outside New York. Pistol Pete would ultimately confess to pulling the trigger on many of his rivals, but justice wouldn't stop his killer reputation. Once behind bars he continued to orchestrate murders. At the age of 25, in order to avoid the death penalty, he accepted a plea bargain of life behind bars in solitary confinement.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Griselda Blanco, "The Godmother," is suspected of scores of murders while transporting cocaine from Colombia to New York, Miami, and Southern California. On the run from the law for over ten years, Blanco was captured in 1985 in Irvine, California. Her trial ended in scandal and she was eventually deported back to Colombia.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

This episode explores the case of The Queenpin--Jemeker Thompson. Thompson rose to the top of the cocaine trade during the peak of the 1980's crack epidemic in Los Angeles. Thompson's former boyfriend would cooperate with authorities and snitch her out. On the run for two years, she was finally captured in 1993 at her son's 6th grade graduation. Thompson was released from prison in 2005 and is now an evangelical minister.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

The case of Bronx gangster Clarence Heatley is examined in the second-season premiere.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

In 1986 Detroit, Demetrius Holloway rose to become one of Detroit's most notorious drug kingpins.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Moya and his chief enforcer, Andre Paige, led a deadly narcotics and extortion racket in New York City until the law caught up with them. With a failing heart, Moya escaped conviction and was sent home to die. Authorities would soon discover that he had received a new heart on the taxpayer's dime. With a new lease on life, Moya would disappear without a trace and stir up a manhunt beyond the jurisdiction of the United States.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

This episode features Dana Bostic and his Chicago gang, The New Breeds. Bostic, known as "Bird," came of age on Chicago's tough west side. He grew up slinging drugs on the corner and ended up a heroin kingpin in his hometown. With a connection to a Mexican cartel, Bostic's New Breeds would package and distribute heroin and defend their turf with violence. When the body count started to rise, Bird and the New Breeds were taken down. They are all serving significant sentences in prison.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A