</s>KC 44-760 He is described as a white male, born at Quincy, Illinois, 5/10 1/2" x 1/4" x 116 pounds, dark brown hair, brown eyes, medium complexion, 862 No. 651 A, occupation - Spray painter. Relatives listed in this file are as follows: Mother LUCILLE RYAN (RAY marked out) 701 1/1/2 Washington or 307 1/3 Father Kentucky Quincy, illinois JERRED (LNU), no address Sister 307 1/ 2 RYANI, 701 1/12 Washington or Grandmother 307 1 /2 RYANN, Kentucky, Quincy, Illinois MARY MAHER, same address as Uncle Illinois WILLIAM MAHER. 1118 E. 7th, Brother Alton, Illinois. JOHN RYANA, #234011, Menard Branch. Illinois State Penitentiary At the time of RYANS parole from the MSP there was a detailer on file in favor of Division of Supervision of Paroles, Springfield, Illinois 96 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail legal records and investigative reports related to James Earl Ray’s criminal history, including his involvement in forging U.S. Postal Money Orders linked to a 1955 burglary at the Kellerville, Illinois Post Office. Ray was arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, in March 1955 for armed robbery and burglary, with sentencing records indicating time served at Illinois State Penitentiary and Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. His employment history includes roles as a painter, laborer, and baker, often terminated due to arrests or convictions. Prison classification forms note his medical issues (e.g., dental problems, cardiac concerns), educational background (Grade Equivalent 8.2), and parole eligibility assessments. The text also references Walter Terry Rife, another individual incarcerated at Leavenworth, with records of his release in 1957 and subsequent incarceration at Illinois Penitentiary Menard. Investigations into Ray’s whereabouts post-1968 yield no confirmed sightings, though inmate Glen Buckley claims Ray may have been associated with the KKK and possibly located in Mississippi or Kansas. OCR errors and fragmented text complicate readability, with some sections appearing corrupted or nonsensical.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Linked to post office burglary, forgery, and robbery charges; under parole consideration.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Incarcerated at Leavenworth (1955–1957) and Illinois Penitentiary Menard; no confirmed post-release location.  
- **Katherine Buskirk**: Identified as Rife’s fiancée, with whom he planned to marry upon release.  
- **Glen Buckley**: Inmate at Missouri State Prison who claimed Ray was associated with the KKK.  
- **Larry C. Simpson**: Employed by Bendix Corporation but not linked to Ray.  

Key Locations:  
- **Kellerville, Illinois**: Site of 1955 post office burglary involving forged money orders.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Location of Ray’s arrest and employment records (e.g., bakery work).  
- **U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth, Kansas**: Rife’s incarceration site; referenced in classification forms.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary Menard**: Rife’s later incarceration location.  
- **Jackson County Courthouse, Kansas City, Missouri**: Mentioned in driver’s license records checks.  

Key Events:  
- **March 7, 1955**: Burglary at Kellerville, Illinois Post Office involving forged money orders.  
- **March 21, 1955**: James Ray arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, for armed robbery and burglary.  
- **1963**: Ray released from Missouri State Prison after a two-year sentence for burglary.  
- **Post-1968 Investigations**: No confirmed sightings of Ray; inmate leads suggest possible connections to Mississippi or Kansas.  
- **Parole Hearings**: Ray’s case noted for anti-social tendencies and potential short-term parole eligibility.  

Key Organizations:  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Involved in the 1955 post office burglary investigation.  
- **Missouri Motor Vehicle Department**: Checked driver’s license records for James Earl Ray.  
- **Federal Records Center, Kansas City, Missouri**: Mentioned in administrative documentation.  
- **Credit Bureau of Greater Kansas City**: Referenced in employment and financial records.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_161-06-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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