supreme team

Photo of two men dressed in suits at Supreme's birthday party in 1984.

In March 1990, Gerald “Prince” Miller was charged with multiple offenses connected to his role in the Queens-based Supreme Team, a notorious drug distribution network that rose to power in New York during the 1980s. Founded by his uncle, Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, the organization operated primarily out of the Baisley Park Housing Projects in South Jamaica, Queens, and became infamous for its influence and street presence.

When McGriff was arrested on state narcotics charges in 1985, leadership of the Supreme Team passed to Miller. As its head, he oversaw extensive and organized operations involving kilogram-level drug production and distribution. Under his direction, the enterprise expanded its territory significantly, with Miller orchestrating efforts to secure new areas of control.

Following a federal trial, Miller was convicted on several counts, including racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) under the “super kingpin” statute, and money laundering. Notably, he was not convicted of any violent offenses.

Three men dressed in 1980s fashion, standing together at Supreme's 1984 birthday party, with a yellow curtain background.
Four men standing together outdoors in Queens, NY, 1985, wearing casual and streetwear clothing, with trees in the background.

United States District Judge Raymond J. Dearie sentenced Miller to seven concurrent life sentences, plus an additional 20 years for money laundering. While Judge Dearie described the punishment as severe yet appropriate for the scope of Miller’s crimes, he also expressed hope for the young leader’s future, telling him:

“With the intelligence that you have, you could find some way to discourage others—those who might admire you if they saw you on the street—from following in your footsteps.”

Miller would carry those words with him throughout the decades he served in federal custody. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, who granted his release on September 20, 2024, Miller credited Judge Dearie’s remarks with inspiring his personal transformation. He wrote:

“Thank you, Your Honor, for sentencing me in a way that helped me find meaning and purpose in my life.”

Group of five African American people sitting and standing in a room. Two men are sitting on a bench, one adult and one child. The man on the left wears a black tank top and blue sweatpants, the man on the right wears a white tank top and dark jeans. Two women stand in the background, one wearing a floral dress, the other mostly out of frame. The room has a silver trophy and wall decorations, and the caption reads 'Queens, NY '84'.
Photo of three men wearing flashy clothing with jewelry, standing together in front of a pink background, labeled 'Disco Fever '84'.

Today, Gerald “Prince” Miller has redirected his energy and leadership into a mission of prevention and empowerment. Drawing on his lived experience, he works to steer children, teenagers, and young adults away from the cycles of street life, incarceration, and lost potential.

His journey stands as proof that real change is possible—when it’s driven by purpose, meaning, and a commitment to leaving a positive legacy.

A young man in a tuxedo with a white bow tie and chain, posing for a formal portrait against a plain background, with text below that reads "Queens, NY '86."
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Two men sitting together, one wearing a white shirt and black pants, the other in a yellow shirt and dark pants, posing for a photo with a painted background.
Group of people at a festive event, some wearing costumes and hats, posing for a group photo with decorations in the background.
Two men in formal attire at a nighttime event, one in a white jacket and the other in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, along with several other people in the background.
A woman in a white dress and coat standing next to a man in a grey suit with a patterned tie, in front of wood-paneled walls.
A man in a gray suit and a woman in a striped shirt and beige pants standing together smiling, with a red backdrop behind them. The woman holds a handbag.
Three people sitting closely together, wearing New York Yankees hats, with one person holding a colorful stuffed animal.
Three men standing outdoors surrounded by trees, posing for a photo. The man on the left is wearing glasses, a light blue and black striped jacket, and holding a gun. The man in the middle is taller, wearing a white jacket with black and blue accents
Three young men standing together with arms around each other's shoulders, posing for the camera in front of a painted mural background.
Five men are gathered outdoors near a green wooden fence, with trees in the background. One man is dressed in all white, holding a drink and standing with one foot on the fence. The other four men are wearing matching blue Adidas tracksuits and have
Group of six men posing in front of a peacock-themed wall decor and a large peacock chair. Two men seated on the floor, others standing around. One small teddy bear dressed in blue clothes is on the floor.
Two men in white suits standing side by side in front of a decorated curtain, one with curly hair and the other with braids, at a formal event.
Two young men standing indoors with arms crossed, wearing casual clothes and necklaces, posing for the camera.

daily news 1988

Black and white newspaper page from January 17, 1988, with headlines about drug crack market in Queens, featuring photos of suspects and authorities, along with a large photo of a damaged building and a smaller photo of a man in a long coat at an ATM.
Newspaper article titled "How the cartels split crack market" with a photo of a man labeled Lorenzo (Fat Cat) Nichols, and a map showing locations of gangs in Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau, along with a detailed list of gang territories and descriptions.
Newspaper clipping from the Daily News, dated Sunday, January 17, 1998, with a headline reading 'SE Queens devastated'. Text describes drug cartel activities and law enforcement actions in Southeast Queens, New York, with a diagram illustrating organized crime activities.