John Thomas Minter, Crack Cocaine Distribution, Connecticut 2015

A 29-year-old East Hartford man has been sentenced to 6 years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine in Connecticut.

John Thomas Minter, also known as “Louch” and “Louch Ramsey,” was sentenced to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport. The sentence was handed down on October 12, 2016 after Minter pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

The investigation into Minter’s narcotics trafficking was a long-term effort by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The task force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Connecticut Department of Correction, had been investigating narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Westhell and Team Grease groups and group-related violent activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Minter was a member of Team Grease, which was originally called “Wall Street.” In April 2015, investigators conducted two controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Minter. On April 14, 2015, he sold approximately 105 grams of crack in exchange for $2,600, and on April 24, 2015, he sold approximately 248 grams of crack in exchange for $5,200.

Minter was arrested on April 30, 2015. A search of his East Hartford residence revealed approximately 62 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 93 grams of powder cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and $16,021 in cash. Minter has been detained since his arrest.

Minter has a history of felony narcotics convictions and a conviction for risk of injury. He was sentenced to a total of 80 months in prison, with four years of supervised release to follow. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.

The investigation into Minter’s narcotics trafficking was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The task force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Connecticut Department of Correction.

Related Federal Cases