Ep 8. The Queenpin: Jemeker Thompson
- TV14
- September 18, 2012
- 42 min
The Queenpin: Jemeker Thompson is the eighth episode of season one of Gangsters: America's Most Evil. The episode focuses on the life of Jemeker Thompson, a notorious drug queenpin from South Los Angeles. Thompson's story is one of ambition, violence, and greed, as she rose to power in the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic.
The episode begins with a brief introduction to Thompson's background, as she grew up in poverty-stricken Los Angeles. She dropped out of high school at 15 years old and found herself pregnant at 16. Thompson struggled to make ends meet, working as a clerk at a fast-food restaurant and eventually turning to drug dealing to make a living.
The episode then dives into Thompson's rise to power in the drug world, as she became one of the most successful female drug dealers in Los Angeles. Thompson was known for her ruthless tactics, often using violence and intimidation to maintain control over her drug empire. With her profits, she bought clothes, jewelry, and expensive cars - earning her the nickname "queenpin."
As Thompson's power grew, so did her conflicts with other drug dealers. The episode highlights a number of instances where Thompson's enemies attempted to take her down, only to be met with violent retaliation. Thompson even went so far as to order the murder of one of her own drug dealers, who she suspected of being a police informant.
Despite facing several stints in prison, Thompson continued to run her drug operation from behind bars. She even managed to smuggle drugs into the prison and control the drug trade within the walls.
The episode details Thompson's eventual downfall, as a former associate turned informant and helped bring her and her team down. Thompson was eventually sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Overall, The Queenpin: Jemeker Thompson is a fascinating and intense look at one of the most successful and ruthless drug dealers in American history. The episode delves into Thompson's motivations and tactics, offering a glimpse into the dark underbelly of the drug trade in the 1980s.
