Gangsters: America's Most Evil

Gangsters: America's Most Evil

A cinematic documentary series that explores the rise and fall of some of the most nefarious and notorious criminals brought to justice by the United States government. From thugs to lethal beauties, outlaws to kingpins, each episode profiles these gangsters and reveals their sinister motives, transgressions and the circumstances that eventually led to their downfall.

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Seasons

1. The First Kingpin: Juan Raul Garza

Air Date: 2012-07-20

This episode follows the case of Juan Raul Garza, the first drug kingpin. Garza and his gang made millions of dollars running drugs across "Marijuana Boulevard," the Gateway bridge linking Mexico and the U.S. in Brownsville, Texas. He became the first felon targeted for death by the federal government in more than 30 years.

2. The Ultimate Outlaw: Harry "Taco" Bowman

Air Date: 2012-07-27

Bowman, as international president of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, ordered kidnappings, firebombings, assaults and murders. He joined another exclusive club in 1997, the "FBI Ten Most Wanted" list. Bowman was brought to justice with the help of an informant on the inside of the Outlaw brotherhood.

3. The Godmother: Griselda Blanco

Air Date: 2012-08-14

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.

4. The Mayor of Harlem: Alberto 'Alpo' Martinez

Air Date: 2012-08-21

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.

5. Machine Gun Johnny: Johnny Eng

Air Date: 2012-08-28

This episode features the rise and fall of Johnny Eng, one of the most notorious drug traffickers in the history of Manhattan's Chinatown. A one-time informant for the DEA, "Machine Gun Johnny" thought he could snitch on all his rivals to monopolize the heroin trade on the eastern seaboard. The special task force set up by the DEA would chase Eng all the way to Hong Kong. Eventually extradited to the U.S., Eng would hire John Gotti's lawyer to defend him against a prosecutor known as "The Dragon Lady.

6. King Blood: Luis Felipe

Air Date: 2012-09-06

This episode explores the case of Luis Felipe, also known as "King Blood." From a prison cell, Felipe founded the New York chapter of the Latin Kings street gang. Felipe's own writings would incriminate him as the orchestrator of murders and crimes against his own members. He is now serving a life sentence in solitary confinement.

7. The Queenpin: Jemeker Thompson

Air Date: 2012-09-11

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.

8. Anthony Shea and the No-Name Gang

Air Date: 2012-09-18

This episode follows Anthony Shea, one of the most prolific bank and armored truck robbers, and his "no name" gang out of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Responsible for killing two armored truck guards in Hudson, New Hampshire, Shea and his gang garnered the attention of the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force in 1995. Finally captured a year later, they refused to talk, adhering to Charlestown's long running "Code of Silence." Informants would break that code and testify in court to put Shea away for life.

9. Lethal Beauties: Beltran, Henao, & Garcia

Air Date: 2012-09-25

This episode explores the cases of three Lethal Beauties: Rosalie Garcia, Sandra Beltran, and Beatriz Henao. Garcia, AKA "Shorty," was the head of a deadly heroin ring in the Bronx throughout the 1990's. Henao, a Colombian national, led an ecstasy drug ring out of the Netherlands before moving into the cocaine trade. Sandra Avila Beltran was a Mexican drug cartel leader who took over a crucial role in the smuggling of cocaine from Colombia, through Mexico and into the U.S. Extradited in 2012, The Queen of the Pacific now faces drug trafficking charges in Miami.

1. The Black Hand of Death: Clarence

Air Date: 2013-05-28

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

2. The Shadow Kingpin: Bartolome Moya

Air Date: 2013-06-04

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.

3. The Pot Princess of Beverly Hills: Lisette Lee

Air Date: 2013-06-11

Drug trafficker Lisette Lee is profiled.

4. The Mongol Warlord : Ruben ``Doc'' Cavasos

Air Date: 2013-06-18

Following a deadly brawl between the Hells Angels and Mongols Motorcycle Clubs in 2002, Cavazos came to national prominence. During his reign as the Mongols' president, he expanded the club's membership by recruiting local street thugs with affiliations to the Mexican Mafia. Federal agents say Doc's aim was to take on the Hells Angels and run a massive criminal enterprise engaged in drug running, murder and intimidation. But Doc's power grab came with consequences. During his time in charge, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives infiltrated the club and piled on the evidence for a federal racketeering indictment. Many Mongols say Cavazos' hunger for fame would be his ultimate downfall and drive him to turn on his brothers.

5. Philly's Gangster Queen: Thelma Wright

Air Date: 2013-06-25

In her early 20s, Thelma met her husband, Jackie Wright, a major player in the Philadelphia drug game. When her husband was murdered, Thelma was faced with a choice: start life over on the straight and narrow or take over the family business. With a taste of success and the lure of easy money, she started transporting cocaine and heroin between Los Angeles and Philadelphia. But life in the game was not what she bargained for.

6. The Colombian Rambo: Carlos Lehder

Air Date: 2013-07-02

This episode features Carlos Lehder, Medellin Cartel member and self-proclaimed Nazi. Lehder revolutionized the cocaine business by taking over an island in the Bahamas and using it as a way station between Colombia and the U.S. On Norman's Cay, the Colombian Rambo meets his match in a professor and diving enthusiast named Richard Novak who will stop at nothing to protect his paradise. Lehder is eventually run off the island and resorts to terrorizing authorities in his homeland to stay out of jail. After years on the run, he's extradited to the U.S. and sentenced to life plus 135 years. When he agrees to testify against Panamanian dictator, Manuel Noriega, he disappears into witness protection.

7. The Kingston Kingpin: Christopher "Dudus" Coke

Air Date: 2013-07-09

Christopher Coke was the notorious leader of the international gang, the Shower Posse. His operation transported drugs to major US cities, sold them for massive profits, and purchased weapons on the black market to export back to his native country, Jamaica. "Dudus", as he was known on the streets, used his criminal wealth and prosperity to win the hearts of his community and influence their political affiliations. Such power propelled him from a Kingpin to a political pawn, and when the US attempted to have the beloved gangster extradited, a civil war broke out to protect him.

8. The Baron of Brotherhood: Barry Mills

Air Date: 2013-07-16

Mills found his calling as the leader of the white supremacist prison gang the Aryan Brotherhood. Over the course of almost two decades, federal prosecutors say Mills is responsible for at least 14 murders even though he has been in prison most of his life. In 1997, Mills and his right hand-man, Tyler Bingham, ordered their members to carry out a race war against rival prison gang, the D.C. Blacks. Immediately after the war, A.B. high-ranking member, Al Benton, provided the big break in the case when he left the A.B. behind and cooperated with the federal government. Armed with plenty of informants, prosecutors had the tools they needed to charge Mills and 39 others in one of the largest capital punishment cases in U.S. history.

9. Mother of the Avenues: Maria "Chata" Leon

Air Date: 2013-07-23

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.

10. Kansas City Kingpin: Alejandro Corredor

Air Date: 2013-08-20

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.

11. Sex, Money, Murder, Inc.: "Pistol Pete" Rollack

Air Date: 2013-08-27

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.

12. Los Muchachos: Augusto Falcon and Salvador Magluta

Air Date: 2013-09-03

This episode follows the story of Salvador Magluta and Augusto Falcon, a pair of powerboat racers in Miami who allegedly moved more illegal narcotics than just about anyone in the history of the U.S. War on Drugs. Known as Willy and Sal, they were tried for importing more than 2.1 billion tons of cocaine over more than a decade of trafficking. They were acquitted, but then faced charges of jury tampering. The law finally caught up with Willy and Sal. Falcon plead guilty to obstructing justice and received a 20 year sentence while Sal faced a jury and is now serving 195 years in prison.

13. The Cutt Boyz: Terrence Benjamin & Derrick Washington

Air Date: 2013-09-10

In a decade long criminal run, the Cutt Boyz used violence to control the drug trade within the B.W. Cooper Housing Complex in New Orleans. Washington became the main supplier of Heroin, while Benjamin grew his murderous reputation as a main enforcer and was eventually responsible for three murders. Following a unique investigation approach, federal authorities indicted 11 Cutt Boyz under the RICO statutes for narcotics distribution and murder. But federal authorities weren't prepared for Hurricane Katrina's catastrophic destruction in 2005, which damaged evidence and displaced witnesses. Ultimately, they were able to piece together the case and successfully convicted all 11 Cutt Boyz. Washington received a 20-year sentence, while Benjamin will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

14. Bird & the New Breeds: Dana Bostic

Air Date: 2013-09-17

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.

15. Quasand Lewis

Air Date: 2013-09-24

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.

1. Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

2. Dustin Honken

Air Date: 2016-03-29

Dustin Honken was a chemist who made and sold a deadly concoction of crystal methamphetamine.

3. James Spencer Springette

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

4. Ludwig Fainberg

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

5. Demetrius & Terry Flenory

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

6. Alex Rudjaj

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

7. Best Friends Gang

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

8. Rances Ulices Amaya

Air Date: 2016-03-29

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

9. Mery Valencia

Air Date: 2016-03-29

A look at one of the few women to rise up the ranks of the dangerous Cali Cartel, Mery Valencia.

10. Cheng Chui Ping

Air Date: 2016-03-22

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

1. James "Whitey" Bulger

Air Date: 2016-12-06

2. Episode 2

Air Date: 2016-12-13

3. Episode 3

Air Date: 2016-12-20

4. Episode 4

Air Date: 2016-12-27

5. Episode 5

Air Date: 2017-01-03

6. Episode 6

Air Date: 2017-01-10

Mafia Cops

1. Mafia Cops

Air Date: 2018-03-27

Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, sworn to protect and serve, instead provide their Mafia cohorts with vital confidential information; the dirty c…

Harvey Hustlers

2. Harvey Hustlers

Air Date: 2018-04-03

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.

Richard 'Iceman' Kuklinski

3. Richard 'Iceman' Kuklinski

Air Date: 2018-04-10

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.

John Gotti

4. John Gotti

Air Date: 2018-04-17

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.

Kaboni Savage

5. Kaboni Savage

Air Date: 2018-04-24

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.

Vito Rizzuto

6. Vito Rizzuto

Air Date: 2018-05-01

Head of the Montreal Mafia, Vito Rizzuto oversees a multi-million dollar international empire reportedly fueled by drug trafficking, money laundering and construction fraud; hard to take down, one act will come back to haunt the Canadian Teflon Don.

Sammy the Bull

7. Sammy the Bull

Air Date: 2018-05-08

Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, the most notorious turncoat in mafia history, pledges loyalty to John Gotti until Gotti himself gets the Bull to change his mind.

David Thai

8. David Thai

Air Date: 2018-05-15

David Thai is the leader of the Born to Kill gang, a group of ruthless young men who terrorize Chinatown in New York City; the gang extorts shop owners who are too fearful to turn to police and start a war with rival gangs.

Aryan Brotherhood of Texas

9. Aryan Brotherhood of Texas

Air Date: 2018-05-22

The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas is a white supremacist gang that boasted thousands of members inside and outside of prison throughout Texas and the United States; most of the gang's violence outside of prison is inflicted upon its own members.

Juan Garcia Abrego

10. Juan Garcia Abrego

Air Date: 2018-05-29

Juan García Ábrego's cocaine smuggling empire grows to an estimated $10 billion; despite his nickname, The Doll, García Ábrego has a reputation for brutality and is suspected of ordering dozens of killings.

OG Mack

11. OG Mack

Air Date: 2018-06-05

Omar Portee, aka OG Mack, watches street gangs operate on the West Coast, then brings the knowledge back home to the Bronx, N.Y.; at Rikers Island, Portee creates the United Blood Nation and watches it spread throughout the East Coast.

The Ghost: Anibal Mustelier

12. The Ghost: Anibal Mustelier

Air Date: 2018-06-12

Anibal Mustelier was considered amongst the most dangerous criminals of the Cocaine Cowboy days in Miami; suspected of multiple assassinations and the mastermind behind elaborate bank and jewelry heists.

Bruce Johnston

13. Bruce Johnston

Air Date: 2018-06-19

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.

Danny Greene

14. Danny Greene

Air Date: 2018-06-26

Danny Greene was a notorious underworld figure, union boss, embezzler, Mafia enforcer, and an FBI informant; he started a war with the Cleveland Mafia, playing with fire until his Irish luck ran out.

6. Dawud "Cool" Bey

Air Date: 2022-05-03

Historian Will Mega: Contributes narration and insight on Reelz Gangsters Season 6 Episode 6 spotlighting Gangsters Americas Most Evil - Dawud "Cool" Bey: The Philly Intimidator.

13. Jorge Rivi Ayala

Air Date: 2022-06-14

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Rating

0.0/10

Release Date

2012-07-20

Episodes

56 (6 seasons)

Status

Returning Series

Cast