</s>SI 44-561 On 4-20-68, WALTER TERRY RIFE was re-interviewed at the Virginia Hotel, 534 North Second Street, by SA ELYON H. DAVIS and ASAC DONALD T. SULLIVAN. RIFE furnished the following information: RIFE advised that he had no contact with JAMES EARL RAY, FBI #306 A43, since he last saw RAY in the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1957. RIFE advanced that he has lost saw RAV in the RIFE admitted that the best he could remember concerning Ray Ray that had close associates or relatives at one time in the Alton, Illinois, area, he stated that he felt that the ALTON, Illinois area, but around that he left that the WET was in the Alltown area. RIFE advised that he knew that RAY had at one time close contained some that he kept that RAV had at 1 one to whom RAY sold stolen items. By this he stated that he meant that RRAY was a fence that would steal anything he meant to RAY was a thief and would steal anythings until 1955 that this included household items, groups of burglaries of business establishments and such like 1,000s that RAY would get rid of that items through a fence in portola. identity of this fence. RIFE stated that he (RIFE) had lived in the Peoria, Illinois, area until 1967 RIFF moved to the home of his brother LONNIE RIFE at Baylis, Illinois. RIFE then in 2-68 had taken over the operation of the restaurant at the Virginia Hotel and had been operating this restaurant since that time. RIFE again retreated that any of the individuals who lived or worked at the Virginia Hotel could verify-the fact that he worked at at the Victoria Hotel could verify-the 3-27-67 through 4-4-68. He stated also that since he and his wife operated the restaurant together and since his wife -93- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents contain multiple teletype messages from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding James Earl Ray’s movements and activities between 1967 and 1968. Key details include:  
- Ray was identified as residing in Canada under the names Paul Bridgman and Ramon George Sneyd from April 8, 1968, to May 6, 1968. He departed Canada for London, England, on May 6, 1968, using a Canadian passport under the name Sneyd.  
- The FBI advised border authorities to monitor individuals using the name Ramon George Sneyd and noted no direct connection between Sneyd and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.  
- A separate message mentions Sylvia Snowden, who left Houston, Texas, in early 1968, traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, and worked at the White Stork Lounge. She reported no association with individuals linked to Martin Luther King Jr. or related activities.  
- Cost data for the Jackson Division (FBI SAC) from May 1968 to May 1966 is included, though dates appear inconsistent.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Subject of investigation; resided in Canada under aliases.  
- Ramon George Sneyd: Alias used by Ray; employed by Toronto Police Department.  
- Sylvia Snowden: Witness interviewed regarding travel and employment history.  
- Walter Cade: Detective Sergeant from Laurel, Mississippi, provided information on criminal activity.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of Snowden’s employment at the White Stork Lounge.  
- Jackson, Mississippi: FBI SAC location referenced in cost data.  
- Toronto, Canada: Home of Ramon George Sneyd; mentioned as a point of entry into the U.S.  
- London, England: Destination for Ray after departing Canada.  

Key Events  
- James Earl Ray’s residency in Canada under assumed names (April 8–May 6, 1968).  
- FBI directive to border authorities to monitor individuals using the name Ramon George Sneyd.  
- Sylvia Snowden’s travel and employment history in Texas and Tennessee.  
- Review of driver’s license records discontinued due to Ray’s known movements.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted surveillance, issued directives to border authorities, and tracked Ray’s activities.  
- Toronto Police Department: Employed Ramon George Sneyd, whose identity was used by Ray.  
- Laurel Police Department: Provided information on criminal activity in Mississippi.

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427d-01-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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