By Carrie J. Sidener

Published: May 9, 2008

A Madison Heights man who authorities say was a major drug dealer in Lynchburg was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison Friday.

Max Hans Ramsey, 49, had pleaded guilty in March to charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule III controlled drug, resisting arrest and failure to appear in court.

He was sentenced by Judge Leyburn Mosby in Lynchburg Circuit Court to an active sentence of 10 years, nine months with another 20 years suspended for good behavior. He also was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Charles Felmlee said police found the drugs last year while investigating a call that a man was breaking into Ramsey’s truck parked outside a fitness supply store.

Police initially spotted a garbage bag full of marijuana when looking through a rear window broken by the thief. Inside, Felmlee said, police found about 7½ pounds of marijuana, more than 3½ grams of cocaine, more than 2 grams of a mixture of cocaine and ecstasy, nearly 3 grams of powdered ecstasy, five ecstasy pills, narcotic painkillers and steroids.

Police also recovered more than $20,000 in cash from in the truck and on Ramsey, Felmlee said.

“He was a major league drug dealer in Lynchburg,” Felmlee said after the sentencing.