</s>1 SL 44-775 HRD:paw Fellow Prisoner: DONALD DEAN RIGGER AT MORBERLY, MISSOURI The following investigation was conducted by SA WILLIAM R. DUNCAN on April 26, 1968. Inmate DONALD DEA RIGER, Number 03959, Missouri Training School for Men, Mobley of Missouri, advised that he had been convicted in December of 1951, and had been an immediate at the Missouri State Penitentiary, Jefferson City, inmate there. From Decoded in 1951, through August 1967, While there were no prisoners in prison. with RAY. RIGGER stated that prior to his apprehension he with RAGER stated that he no one really friendly had jumped his opposition in Salpillo Coahuila, Mexico. Following his imprisonment was made from Mexico. RAY was aware of this and asked questions of him concerning the economy in Mexico. He indicated particular interest in understood by any circumstances that they could get into was generally Army they could effectively lose their identities. RIGGER stated in his estimation the person who was most closely associated with RAY was inmate DONALD JOHNSON, who, to the best of his knowledge, is currently employed in the bread room at the Mississippi State Prison in Jefferson City. Missouri. RIGger was unable to offer any suggestions as to the present whereabouts of subject. 163 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and St. Louis Police Department investigations into James Earl Ray’s associations and movements following his escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967. Key figures include Donald Dean Rigger, an inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who claimed Ray had ties to Donald Johnson and expressed interest in Mexico’s economy. James Russell, a former Missouri Police Department officer, reported Ray’s association with Robert Powell, potentially employed by American Car Company in St. Louis after his release. John Paul Velanti, a St. Louis radio broadcaster, confirmed Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary from February 13, 1960, to December 1966, and noted his associations with Orville Gann, NONEY EDEN (possibly James Eden), and Kenny Hunt. J.D. Daily was identified as a potential associate of Ray, with police noting he may have harbored Ray after his escape. Daily was linked to the Halifax Cafe in St. Louis and Thomas Crews, who was allegedly sheltered by Daily. The documents also reference Ray’s alleged involvement in criminal activities, including armed robbery, and possible ties to organizations like the Dismas House. Additional investigations focused on J.D. Daily’s potential connections to Ray, with interviews conducted in April 1968 revealing Daily denied knowledge of Ray or his associates. Surveillance of Daily’s residences in Portageville and St. Louis found them vacant, and property records confirmed no ownership ties. Witnesses, including neighbors and business associates, corroborated Daily’s lack of farm ownership or connections to Ray. The FBI also explored Daily’s alleged involvement with Thomas B. Crews’ escape from prison, citing statements from Homer Townsley, a St. Louis police officer.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected in MLK Jr.’s assassination; incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1966), later transferred to Moberly Minimum Security Prison. Alleged ties to criminal activities, including armed robbery, and associations with Donald Johnson, Orville Gann, NONEY EDEN, Kenny Hunt, Thomas B. Crews, and J.D. Daily.  
- **Donald Dean Rigger**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary and Moberly Minimum Security Prison; claimed Ray had ties to inmate Donald Johnson and expressed interest in Mexico’s economy.  
- **James Russell**: Former Missouri Police Department officer; reported Ray’s association with Robert Powell, potentially employed by American Car Company post-release.  
- **John Paul Velanti**: St. Louis radio broadcaster; confirmed Ray’s incarceration history and associations with Orville Gann, NONEY EDEN (possibly James Eden), and Kenny Hunt.  
- **J.D. Daily**: Suspected of harboring Ray after his escape; linked to the Halifax Cafe in St. Louis and Thomas Crews. Interviewed by FBI in April 1968, denied knowledge of Ray or associates.  
- **Thomas B. Crews**: Allegedly sheltered by J.D. Daily post-escape from Missouri State Penitentiary; mentioned as a former associate of Ray through Homer Townsley’s intelligence.  
- **Homer Townsley**: St. Louis police officer who reportedly informed authorities about J.D. Daily’s assistance to Thomas B. Crews during his escape.  
- **Virgil Denton**: Bar operator in St. Louis; stated he knew Ray as a customer and confirmed J.D. Daily purchased his tavern and later acquired the Half-Way Cafe.  
- **Leo J. Spino**: Shoe repair shop owner adjacent to the Half-Way Cafe; described J.D. Daily as a man in his 40s–50s with a wife who left for California.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City): Ray’s incarceration from 1960–1966.  
- **Moberly Minimum Security Prison**: Ray’s transfer destination in 1966.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Key location for interviews and investigations; includes the Halifax Cafe, Half-Way Cafe, and residences linked to J.D. Daily.  
- **Portageville, Missouri**: Location of J.D. Daily’s restaurant and business operations.  
- **Wardell, Missouri**: Area where J.D. Daily was raised; no confirmed land ownership by Daily or his family.  
- **Collinsville, Illinois**: Mentioned as a location for J.D. Daily’s former tavern near Caseyville.  
- **Pemiscot County, Missouri**: Property records checked for J.D. Daily’s ownership or leases.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary** (1967): Investigated through associates like J.D. Daily, who allegedly provided shelter.  
- **FBI and St. Louis Police Department interviews** (April 1968): Conducted with J.D. Daily, his relatives, neighbors, and business associates to verify ties to Ray.  
- **Surveillance of J.D. Daily’s residences**: In Portageville and St. Louis found vacant or unoccupied; property records confirmed no ownership ties.  
- **Investigation into J.D. Daily’s alleged involvement with Thomas B. Crews’ escape** from prison, citing statements from Homer Townsley.  
- **Interviews with Virgil Denton and Leo J. Spino**: Provided details about J.D. Daily’s business dealings, associates, and alleged connections to Ray.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, surveillance, and property checks on J.D. Daily and James Earl Ray.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Collaborated with FBI on tracking Ray and his associates; mentioned in relation to Homer Townsley’s intelligence unit.  
- **Dismas House**: Mentioned as an organization linked to Ray through inmate connections.  
- **Missouri State Highway Patrol**: Referenced in context of Ray’s activities.  
- **White Realty Company**: Linked to J.D. Daily’s rental properties in St. Louis.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_08-02-part_5_of_9.pdf

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