</s>ME 44-1987 Subject's family is reported to have changed the family name as often as it suited them, and they have been known at various times under the names RAY, RAYNES, RAVENS, RYAN, and BERNES. A birth certificate has been located reflecting that JAMES EARL RAY was born March 10, 1928, at Alton, Illinois, to JAMES RAY and LUCIE MAHER. Mother LUCILLE MARY RAY. nee MAHER, was born April 29, 1959, at Altoon, Illinois, and died at alcoholic on January 25, 1961, at St. Louis, Missouri. She is reported to have been a missouri. She's not a post of her life Her husband, who now uses the name JERRY RAYnes, who was now in about 1952. From RAVNES, abandoned her death in 1961 she lived with JOHN EUGENE GARWON whenever GARWOW was not in prison. Father JERRY RAAYNES. born November 24, 1899, resides alone on a small farm on Route 2, Center, Missouri, at telephone number, Center, Mississippi, and on the information at Jacksonville, Florida, subject's mother at JacksonVILLE, Florida. in the spring of 1929, 1930, or 1931 but subject's having lived for the first to admit to having lived in the area. marriage. He states that he and the subject's father separated about 1949 and subject's Mother separated about 1948 and off and on from 1952 until 1963. off and and on to have 1952 until 1965. RAYNES claims to have last seen the subject about 17 years ago, and he claims to Have about 17 Years ago, he claims no have about the same reason regarding his present where- about the brother JOHN LARRY RAT, born February 14, 1933, resides lone one from 1900-1904 Cherokee, St.Louis, and is engaged with his sister, CAROL PEPPER, in the operation of the Grapevine Tavern, 1982 Arsenal St. St. Grapevine Telephone at the establishment of the PR 6-947. JOHN has served sentences in both the John has served Sentences in both in the Illinois State Penitentiary and in the 40 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains inmate testimonies and records detailing James Earl Ray’s activities during his incarceration at various prisons between 1957 and 1968. Ray, described as a quiet, reserved individual with racist tendencies, was incarcerated at the Missouri State Penitentiary (1957–1963), Mississippi State Penitentiary, and Leavenworth. Inmates reported his involvement in prison-related crimes such as tunneling, drug trafficking (amphetamines and stimulants), and escape planning. Ray allegedly expressed racist views toward Black individuals, including referring to Martin Luther King Jr. as “Martin Luther Coon” and discussing a $10 million bounty on MLK’s head. While some inmates speculated about his potential involvement in MLK’s assassination, no direct evidence was provided. Testimonies also mention Ray’s alleged connections to Mexico, Liberia, or New Orleans-based contacts for escape assistance. His 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary was noted, with some inmates suggesting he had a network of accomplices. The document emphasizes that these accounts are based on inmate recollections rather than official legal evidence, and Ray was never formally charged for MLK’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner involved in drug trafficking, escape planning, and racist remarks.  
- **Kenneth Lee Wade**: Inmate at San Quentin and Missouri State Penitentiary; detailed Ray’s drug operations and financial dealings.  
- **Milton Zavalcofski**: Former Missouri State Penitentiary inmate; recalled Ray’s escape and piloting skills.  
- **Charles Calvin Bookman**: Leavenworth inmate who met Ray in 1956; claimed Ray resurfaced in Los Angeles in 1967.  
- **Rita Stein** and **Marie Martin**: Described interactions with Ray (or ERIC GALT) during a New Orleans trip, including political party registration.  
- **John Eugene Gawron**: Inmate who knew Ray since 1959; alleged drug trafficking and loan shark connections.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (1957–1963): Site of Ray’s incarceration, drug trafficking, and escape attempts.  
- **Leavenworth, Kansas**: Where Ray met Charles Calvin Bookman in 1956.  
- **San Quentin, California**: Inmate where Kenneth Lee Wade was incarcerated.  
- **Mississippi State Penitentiary**: Mentioned as a site of Ray’s drug operations.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Alleged resurfacing location for Ray (or ERIC GALT) in 1967.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Site of a trip involving Rita Stein, Marie Martin, and Ray (or ERIC GALT).  

Key Events  
- **Drug Trafficking**: Ray and inmates at Missouri State Penitentiary sold amphetamines and stimulants, with Ray earning $10.50 monthly from his earnings.  
- **Escape Attempts**: Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary was noted, with Zavalcofski recalling the event.  
- **Political Party Registration**: Rita Stein and Marie Martin described a group registering for George Wallace’s political party in California and New Orleans.  
- **Loan Shark Operations**: Gawron claimed Ray engaged in loan shark activities at multiple prisons, involving guards and financial transactions.  
- **Alleged Travel Plans**: Ray (or ERIC GALT) allegedly planned to travel south after the New Orleans trip, with Stein noting his potential involvement in violence.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Implied through references to investigations and testimonies about Ray’s activities.  
- **Prison Systems**: Missouri State Penitentiary, Leavenworth, San Quentin, and Mississippi State Penitentiary are mentioned as sites of Ray’s incarceration and operations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bf-374_sec_004_ser_290-336-part_2_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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