</s>ME 44-1987 Brother JERRY WILLIAM RAY, born resides in Apartment 14, 314 Wisconsin Avenue, Lake Forest, Illinois. He has no telephone. He is employed as a maintenance man at the Sportsman's Country Club, 3535 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois, JERKY, described as being of "low mental county, but not worth the Illinois State Penitentiary and at the MSP. He claims to have last seen the subject outside of prison in about 1951, and he outside of jail in about 1961, and the in about 1964. MSP records reflect JERRY visited the subject on the following dates: 8/2/63 9/15/63 5/16/63 5/7/65 7/1/65 7/7 /65 JERMY RAY is divorced from GERDIS STREET, who presently resides on Wisconsin Avenue in Lake Forest. Illinois. During the period that he and STREet were married, in Lake Forest, Illinois by her previous husband. She and Jerry RAY separated during August 1967 and were separatedduring August 1967, and were previously lived common-law with CAROL SARTAN by whom he had a child MICHAEL, age, and now. he had to child CAROL's parents, Mr. and Mrs. WILLIARD SARAH'S parents, Mrs. and Mr. Ten- WILIARD SARTANS assist in the support of messese. He periodically sends money to the SARTANA to assist in this support of MICHAEL. JERNY claims to HAVE had no contact with the subject since the subject's escape and claims have no information concerning his whereabouts. 42 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains records detailing James Earl Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) from 1961–1965, his alleged drug trafficking activities, escape planning, and interactions with inmates who reported his interest in legal briefs, racial animosity toward Black individuals, and discussions about financial rewards for killing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Inmates described Ray as a loner engaged in theft, petty crimes, and narcotics distribution, including selling amphetamines to other prisoners. Some inmates claimed he discussed plans to kill MLK, referencing a "Businessman’s Association" offering $100,000,000 for his death. Post-escape activities included trips to Mexico (e.g., Campeche Bay) and alleged connections with individuals in New Orleans and Memphis. The text references FBI case numbers (e.g., FBI No. 50497773) and prison operations such as the bakery, lottery ticket distribution, and drug transactions.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner, narcotics dealer, escape planner, and alleged conspirator in MLK’s assassination. Inmates reported his racial hostility toward Black individuals and potential intent to kill MLK.  
- **Kenneth Lee Wade**: Inmate at MSP who claimed Ray sold drugs, avoided attention, and could have killed MLK due to racial animosity.  
- **Milton Zavalcofski**: Former MSP inmate; stated he knew Ray’s escape plans but had no information on his whereabouts post-escape.  
- **Charles Calvin Bookman**: Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary inmate who reported a 1968 phone call from Ray, during which Ray allegedly requested money and described himself as "hotter than a cow marshal's pistol."  
- **GALT**: Suspected associate of Ray; linked to New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Mexico; described as a transient individual with ties to drug-related activities.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; divorced from Gerdis Street, had child Michael with Carol Sartan.  
- **Frank Ryan**: Deceased in 1963; sister Carol Pepper and Melba Marie Ryan are mentioned as family members.  
- **Billy Brown Auby**: MSP inmate who reported Ray’s drug use and theft activities.  
- **Richard Beaman**: MSP inmate who described Ray as quiet with no known associates.  
- **Julius Block**: Former MSP inmate; noted Ray’s alleged stabbing of an inmate and lock-picking behavior.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Central location for Ray’s incarceration (1961–1965); associated with drug distribution, escape planning, and interactions with inmates like Wade, Zavalcofski, and Bookman.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Mentioned as a location where Ray allegedly had ties to smuggling and a fence named “Quarter” or “Dime.”  
- **Campeche Bay, Mexico**: Referenced in Ray’s alleged plans to hide after escaping prison.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Cited in discussions about potential bounty for Dr. King’s death and GALT’s movements.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Associated with GALT’s alleged connections and the Sultan Room nightclub.  
- **Arkansas (Blytheville)**: Mentioned as a potential area where Ray might have been located post-escape.  
- **Mississippi State Penitentiary**: Noted as a location where Ray was transferred after his escape.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s time at MSP (1961–1965)**: Inmates reported his drug use, theft, and alleged involvement in crimes like oil company robberies. He engaged in lottery ticket distribution and interactions with inmates such as Johnny Valenti and Milton Zavaloski.  
- **Alleged plans to kill MLK**: Ray discussed financial rewards for killing MLK, referencing a "Businessman’s Association" offering $100,000,000. Inmates like Jimmy Owens and George William Russli mentioned speculation about a bounty for Dr. King’s death.  
- **Escape attempts**: Multiple inmates described Ray’s planned escapes from MSP, with some suggesting informants thwarted his efforts. Post-escape activities included trips to Mexico (e.g., Vera Cruz, Acapulco) and alleged connections with individuals in New Orleans and Memphis.  
- **Narcotics distribution**: Ray sold amphetamines to inmates prior to his escape, including a 3-and-3-for-2 loan business at the penitentiary.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Involved in the investigation; case numbers (e.g., FBI No. 50497773) are referenced.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Central to Ray’s incarceration and prison activities, including drug distribution and escape planning.  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary**: Mentioned as a location where Ray was transferred after his escape.  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Referenced in records of Ray’s prior arrests for forgery and fraud.

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427d-03-part_4_of_5.pdf

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