East Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack Cocaine

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN THOMAS MINTER, also known as “Louch” and “Louch Ramsey,” 29, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from a long-term investigation being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and Hartford Police Department into 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, MINTER sold approximately 105 grams of crack in exchange for $2,600 and, on April 24, he sold approximately 248 grams of crack in exchange for $5,200.

MINTER was arrested on April 30, 2015. On that date, a search of MINTER’s 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. On October 12, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

MINTER’s criminal history includes multiple felony narcotics convictions, and a conviction for risk of injury.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and Hartford Police Department. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.