Suspect Called 'Louch' Sentenced in Crack Case

EAST HARTFORD, CT — A man sentenced on Monday to more than six years in prison for his role in a northern Connecticut drug ring, a leading prosecutor said.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that John Thomas Minter, who goes by the street names “Louch” and “Louch Ramsey,” 29, of East Hartford, was sentenced 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.

The case matter stems from a long-term investigation being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Westhell and Team Grease groups and group-related violent activity, Daly said.

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, Daly said.

Minter was arrested on April 30.

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, Daly said.

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, Daly said.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock