Suspect Called 'Louch' Pleads Guilty in East Hartford Crack Case

MANCHESTER, — An East Hartford man is facing at least five years in prison for participating in a crack cocaine operation, a prosecutor said.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced Friday that John Thomas Minter,of East Hartford has entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to distributing crack cocaine.

MInter, 28, goes by the street names of “Louch” and “Louch Ramsey,” Daly said.

The 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, 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, authorities said.

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 and approximately $16,000 in cash, Daly said.

Minter pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, Daly said.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Minter has been detained since his arrest, Daly said.

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