</s>SI 44-561 Illinois Drivers License B326 4456 4453 3030 issued June 3, 1967 to JAMES E. BODKER, 14341 South Avalon, Dalton, Illinois will expire January 30, 1971 and describes him as male will expire january 30, 1974 and describes his brown hair born green eyes, occupation 10 construction laboror, Records reflect license was suspended December 12, 1967 for an accident. It was again suspended in February, 1968 for three moving violations but is presently clear and valid. - 192 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document contains fragmented records related to administrative inquiries and investigations involving individuals in Illinois, some of which reference Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) indirectly. It includes a drivers license record for James E. Bodker, suspended for traffic violations, and mentions William A. Marshall, with no direct ties to MLK. On May 17, 1968, Woodrow Thompson, an employee of Rust International, Inc., reported no records of individuals named Marshall or related to MLK in Bloomington, Illinois. Later sections detail Robert Strader’s wife, Mrs. Strader, who claimed her husband overheard conversations about MLK's assassination and feared for his safety. She described a car theft incident involving two men, one of whom allegedly threatened Strader’s life. The document also references an FBI investigation into Strader’s activities, including his alleged connection to the murder of MLK, with notes on his movements in Illinois and Louisiana. Other sections mention Cecil Ray, Judith Ray, and unrelated administrative records, such as a school photo inquiry and license plate information.  

SI 44-561 contains information regarding inquiries into the Ray family's connections to a suspect in an investigation related to MLK’s assassination. Sheriff Leonard Kelly of Fayette County, Vandalia, reported that several members of the Ray family were present in the area and expressed doubt about their involvement with the suspect. The Ray family conductor stated the suspect was in charge of the investigation but described him as not very intelligent and prone to using alcohol. Larry Ray, a Vandalia city employee, was jailed for threatening his wife on 5/11-12/68 and released on $25,000 bond. Marion Kirkippirkiprack, a USPO employee, noted Cecil Ray had not been in Vandalia for at least two years. Cilbert Ray, a Vandala street and garbage worker, mentioned he was an uncle of Cecil Ray and had heard of James Earl Ray, with his brother Stanley Ray working at Crane Packing 60 in Vira, 111. Richard Ray, a half-brother, was last known to be in Peoria, Illinois, at a Shite (phoenix) service station. Leonard Boiles, a former associate of Cecil Ray, stated he had not heard from him for two or three years. Preston Prior, a former associate, also lacked recent information on Cecil Ray. The document notes interactions with Sheriff Kelly and Chief Dale Slatter on May 14, 1968, who described the Ray family as "a little on the stupid side."  

Key People:  
- James E. Bodker (drivers license record)  
- William A. Marshall  
- Woodrow Thompson (Rust International, Inc.)  
- Robert Strader (alleged witness to MLK assassination plot)  
- Mrs. Strader (wife of Robert Strader)  
- Cecil Ray, Judith Ray, Larry Ray, Cilbert Ray, Stanley Ray, Richard Ray, Leonard Boiles, Preston Prior, Marion Kirkippirkiprack  
- Leonard Kelly (Sheriff), Chief Dale Slatter  

Key Locations:  
- Bloomington, Illinois  
- Detroit, Michigan  
- Lexington, Illinois  
- Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Deenla Springs)  
- Peoria, Illinois (International Harvester offices, Shite (phoenix) service station)  
- Memphis, Tennessee  
- Gulf Truck Stop, Lebanon, Tennessee  
- Fayette County, Vandalia, Crane Packing 60, Vira, 111  

Key Events:  
- Suspension of James E. Bodker’s drivers license (1967–1968)  
- Woodrow Thompson’s investigation into William A. Marshall’s absence in Bloomington, Illinois  
- Robert Strader’s alleged overheard conversation about MLK’s assassination and subsequent car theft  
- FBI inquiry into Robert Strader’s movements and potential involvement in MLK’s murder  
- Mrs. Strader’s claims of her husband’s fear for his safety due to information about MLK’s killing  
- Inquiries into Ray family connections to a suspect, Larry Ray’s arrest and release  
- Statements about Cecil Ray’s absence from Vandalia, mentions of James Earl Ray  
- Interactions with law enforcement on May 14, 1968, describing the Ray family as "a little on the stupid side"  

Key Organizations:  
- International Harvester Company (Peoria, Illinois)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Rust International, Inc.  
- Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles  
- Local police departments in Bloomington and Lexington, Illinois  
- United States Postal Service (USPO)  
- City of Vandalia  
- Crane Packing 60

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_126-02-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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