</s>ME 44-1987 TOR:1m 1 JOSEPH ADAMS currently incarcerated at the Illinois State Penitentiary was acquired with JAMES EARL RAY at the Missouri State Penitentialary. ADAMS left the phonientary in October, 1967. RAY brought food to the hospital where ADAMS was working and assumed RY worked in the prison where ADANS was He described and assumed that RY were worked but the hevron talked directly to him or him did he did he observe with his wife and other imates. LEO BARNETT currently incarcerated in the FLORIDA State Prison, Rafford, Florida, knew JAMES FARL RAY in the Missouri state Prison, about 1962 until August 1, 1966. He met me through Billy Niles, recently at the New Penitentary, Achiely, did not bother anybody, RAY never said, he did not did bother anybody. was a new suspect said, and did not have a definite mental problem. He was taking powdered methamphetamine while in prison and would suffer weight losses and gains of 10 to 15 pounds over short periods of time. BARNETT stated that asphaltine taken in quantities would produce a substantial rapid weight loss. The asphaltine supply, prior to 1964, was $5 a shot or less and after 1964, although the supply was limited, it still sold for the same price. 46 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains inmate accounts of James Earl Ray’s behavior, prison interactions, escape attempts, and alleged connections to organized crime during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1967) and other facilities. Inmates describe Ray as a racist, drug user, and escape artist who expressed hostility toward Black people and Martin Luther King Jr., referencing plans to kill MLK for perceived injustices. Some inmates mention Ray’s alleged involvement in smuggling, lottery operations, and illicit activities within prisons. Others note his fascination with escape methods, including tunneling, and interactions with associates like Leo Barnett, Thomas Britton Carpence, Billy Niles, and John Garon. References to Ray’s travels include trips to Mexico (e.g., Campeche Bay, Vucatan Peninsula) and New Orleans. The text also includes FBI investigations into Ray’s movements and associations, as well as records of his prior arrests for burglary, robbery, forgery, and vagrancy from 1946–1960. A Social Security number (163 129) is noted in the document but redacted here.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a racist, drug user, and escape artist who allegedly discussed plans to kill MLK.  
- **Leo Barnett**: Inmate at Florida State Prison who knew Ray during his Missouri incarceration; noted Ray’s drug use and lack of violent tendencies.  
- **Thomas Britton Carpence**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who described Ray as a quiet, "odd" individual with drug habits.  
- **Billy Niles**: Inmate connected to Ray’s alleged discussions about MLK’s assassination.  
- **John Garon**: Prisoner in Missouri who taught Ray burglary techniques.  
- **Milton Zavalofski**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who knew Ray.  
- **Calvin Bookman**: Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary inmate who claimed contact with Ray.  
- **John R. Keller**: Leavenworth inmate who described Ray’s prison behavior.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Leavenworth inmate associated with Ray in 1955.  
- **Dyrell Dennis**: Contacted by investigators; linked to ERIC STARVO GALT.  
- **Marie Martin**: Hotel worker potentially connected to GALT/ERIc STARVO GALT.  
- **Rita Stein and Charles Stein**: Traveled with Ray to New Orleans.  
- **GINGER DAY (Lou)**: Associated with GALT/ERIc STARVO GALT.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City): Primary incarceration site for Ray; central location for inmate interactions and escape attempts.  
- **Florida State Prison** (Rafford, Florida): Where Leo Barnett was incarcerated; had contact with Ray during his Missouri prison stays.  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary**: Hosted inmates like Calvin Bookman, John R. Keller, and Walter Terry Rife who interacted with Ray.  
- **Mexico**: Referenced in discussions about Ray’s travels, including Campeche Bay near the Vucatan Peninsula and Mexico City.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a location where Ray allegedly traveled with Rita Stein and Charles Stein.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Noted as a residence for Ray; includes references to the Sultan Room hotel.  
- **St. Francis Hotel** (San Francisco): Linked to interactions between Martin, Stein, and GALT/ERIc STARVO GALT.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s escape attempts from Missouri State Penitentiary**: Multiple inmates described his repeated efforts, including tunneling and using the bread delivery system.  
- **Discussions about MLK’s assassination**: Ray allegedly discussed plans to kill MLK, referencing a bounty on his head and justifying the act as retribution for perceived injustices. Some inmates noted conversations about potential bounties but not direct involvement from Ray.  
- **Drug use and smuggling activities**: Ray’s alleged consumption of amphetamines, methamphetamine, and other substances; involvement in smuggling cigarettes, weapons, and lottery operations within prisons.  
- **FBI investigations**: Mentioned through inmate numbers, witness statements, and inquiries into Ray’s associations and financial dealings.  
- **Prior arrests and charges**: Records from 1946–1960 include offenses like burglary, robbery, forgery, and vagrancy in locations such as Los Angeles, Cedar Rapids, Alton, Chicago, and St. Louis.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in investigations into Ray’s movements, associations, and financial activities.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central facility for Ray’s incarceration; hub for inmate interactions and escape planning.  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary**: Hosted inmates with alleged connections to Ray.  
- **Law enforcement agencies**: Including Los Angeles PD, St. Louis PD, and U.S. Postal Service, referenced in arrest records.  
- **Organized crime/smuggling networks**: Implied through references to drug trafficking, smuggling operations, and illicit activities within prisons.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ba-669_729218_1-03-part_2_of_5.pdf

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