</s>SI 44-561 Menard Prison records reflect on May 17, 1968, ANDREW WILSON #CORE, also known as De Cora and Blackie De Core, Menard #24 received Menard Prison, June 15, 1953, on a transfer from Joliet, Illinois prison to serve a sentence of 1 to 20 years for robbery. DE CORB paroled June 15. 1959 to Rev. JAMES WINNEBEGAR, Louis Rescue Mission, St. Louis, Missouri, and was returned to Parole violation, July 19, 1960. He was parole parole violation to Baptist, July 18, Mission, Collinsville Avenue, East St Louis, Illinois, He was returned by Menard as parole violator, May 28, 1965. December 20, 1966. Upon discharge, expressed intention of going to his sister's residence, Mrs. YALANDA DI CASOLA and her husband, Vincent and Glennemore Drive, Preemont, California's other victims and relatives contained in prison records are as follows: Brother ANTHONY DE CORE 713 South Claremont, Chicago, Illinois or 138 North 70th Melrose Park, Illinois ; Sister Mrs. MARTHA BUTTITTO, husband - BENNIE 9241 North Maple Court, Morton Grove, Illinois; Sister NANCY COSENTINO 502 East Memorial Bensonville, Illinois: - 138 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail prison records, investigative reports, and interviews related to individuals connected to the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination investigation. Andrew Wilson #CORE (De Cora/Blackie De Core) is noted for his incarceration history at Menard Prison, Illinois, including parole violations, and his associations with the Baptist Rescue Mission in East St. Louis. James Earl Ray’s prison records from Illinois State Penitentiary Pontiac Branch are examined by FBI agents SA Edward A. Carpenter and SA Elyon H. Davis. Former inmates such as Fred Petarakis, Norman Dean, and Charles E. Nedd were interviewed but could not confirm Ray’s identity or location. William Ray King, interviewed in Rock Island, Illinois, claimed to have been in Memphis during MLK’s assassination, possessed firearms, and expressed bitterness toward MLK. An anonymous tip referenced a white man in Arkansas planning to assassinate MLK. Prior threats against MLK were linked to Benny K. Pinkston, associated with the John Birch Society, though no direct evidence was confirmed. Additional records include an arrest of Allen Richard Thayer in Springfield, Illinois, on April 8, 1968, and interviews with individuals like Jerome J. Trares (US Gypsum salesman) and Robert L. Plunk (Korean War veteran), who provided a sketch of the assassin. Some entries contain vague or garbled information about unrelated suspects or administrative records.  

Key People:  
- Andrew Wilson #CORE (De Cora/Blackie De Core)  
- James Earl Ray  
- Reverend David Bliss (Baptist Rescue Mission, East St. Louis)  
- SA Edward A. Carpenter  
- SA Elyon H. Davis  
- William Ray King  
- Benny K. Pinkston  
- Allen Richard Thayer  
- Jerome J. Trares  
- Robert L. Plunk  
- Fred Petarakis  
- Norman Dean  
- Charles E. Nedd  

Key Locations:  
- Menard Prison, Illinois  
- Illinois State Penitentiary Pontiac Branch  
- East St. Louis, Illinois  
- Rock Island, Illinois  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Lorraine Motel)  
- Springfield, Illinois  
- Strawn, Illinois  
- Cairo, Illinois  
- Carbonell, Illinois  
- Kankakee, Illinois (West Lane Hotel)  
- Marion, Arkansas  
- Louisiana (Lake Providence, Arlington)  

Key Events:  
- Andrew Wilson’s parole violations and incarceration history  
- Investigation into James Earl Ray’s prison records at Pontiac Branch  
- Interviews with former inmates regarding Ray’s identity and whereabouts  
- William Ray King’s interview in Rock Island, claiming presence in Memphis during MLK’s assassination  
- Anonymous tip about a suspect in Arkansas planning to assassinate MLK  
- Arrest of Allen Richard Thayer on April 8, 1968  
- Investigation into William Lohmeyer’s movements in Strawn, Illinois  
- Jerome J. Trares’ travel to Memphis and Cairo, Illinois, around the time of MLK’s assassination  
- Robert L. Plunk’s interview and provision of an artist’s sketch of the assassin  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Illinois State Penitentiary Pontiac Branch  
- Baptist Rescue Mission, East St. Louis  
- John Birch Society  
- Springfield Police Department  
- US Gypsum  
- Lipsett Steel Products Company (unrelated administrative context)

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_162-01-part_5_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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