</s>FD-302 (Rev. 1-25-40) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date: 5-21-68 1 Mrs. ALBERT (CAROL) PEPPER, 2025 Bellevue, Maplewood, Missouri, was interviewed at her residence, at which time she. furnished the following information: Mrs. PEPPER has received no information regarding her brother, JAMES RAY (RAY) home she refers to as Jim), since the last previous interview with her by the FBI. Mrs. PEPPER has been received no informa regarding within the past several days, police officers from the St. Louis Police Department came to see Mrs. PEEPER indi- cating to the Los Angeles Times, according to Mrs. newspaper, possibly "The Los Angeles times" according to Ms. PEPPER's recollection of what they said; this inquiry having to do with the finances of the RAY family. According to Mrs .- to do to the finances at the police officers information about her and they said: This inquiry having wanted to talk to her about her finances, she might want to on behalf of her, and they suggested to her that if people wanted them to talk about her financials, shemight want to dispatch" newspaper also came to See Mrs. PEFPER within the preceding few days, but also refused to talk with him. Mrs. preceded few days; but she refused to speak to him. a few days heard from the acquittal date which appeared a few years heard from a acquittal fact which appeared in article a "Life Magazine" article concerning the RAV family, but Mrs. a "LIFE Magazine" did not read this newspaper article. a "PEPPERS herself did not Read this newspaper Article. Mrs. PePPER and her family went to see him later at Center, Mrs. Pepper and her Family went to her father 1968. She has been customary going to weekender her father during weekends and usually takes him groceries. She is the 18-19-18-18. the family who maintains contact with the father and there during the family has maintained contact with her father and looks six months a little is believed to consist of about forty acres of which a little to be probably tillable and she thinks she looks six months ago is believed that she is not afraid of which a girl is probably liable of and she think she thinks that he is suitable only for livestock or grazing. paid some amount in the neighborhood of $2,600 for this farm. Mrs. DEPPER is uncertain in her time collection, but believes it <loc_113><loc_752>in the amount of $1,900 at the time he was purchasing this in theamount of $11,900 in the telephone, he was purchased this farm and which was applied at the purchase. If so, this money On 5-20-68 of <loc_255><loc_872><loc_113><loc_872>SA HARRY C. J. JUNG Maplewood, Missouri

Summary  
The document contains FBI investigative records detailing interviews with John Larry Ray, Jerry Ray, and Carol Pepper regarding their brothers James Earl Ray and his alleged connection to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Interviews occurred between May and June 1968, focusing on financial transactions, property rentals, and statements about James Earl Ray’s whereabouts. John Ray provided details about his own movements, including residences in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco, Tijuana, Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as financial activities involving bank accounts and travelers’ checks. Jerry Ray claimed no knowledge of his brother’s activities post-escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967 but expressed disbelief at the assassination allegations. Carol Pepper reported her brother James Earl Ray had been arrested in London on June 8, 1968, following his escape from prison. Financial records from Jefferson-Gravois Bank show John Ray maintained a checking account with deposits totaling $1,350 on August 30, 1967, including travelers’ checks. Naomi Regazzi, John Ray’s ex-wife, confirmed James Earl Ray was a fugitive and provided details about interactions with John Ray after MLK’s assassination. The FBI sought to locate James Earl Ray, who was suspected in the assassination plot, and monitored financial transactions linked to John Ray.  

Key People  
- **John Larry Ray**: Interviewed regarding his brother James Earl Ray; provided details about his own movements and financial activities.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; contacted FBI Agent Spurgeon J. Peterson in May 1968, denied knowledge of his brother’s involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Brother of John Larry Ray and Jerry Ray; escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967; suspected in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of John Larry Ray; reported James Earl Ray’s arrest in London on June 8, 1968.  
- **Naomi Regazzi** (nee Haynes): Ex-wife of John Ray; former barmaid at Grapevine Tavern; provided information about James Earl Ray’s fugitive status.  
- **Clarence Haynes**: Mentioned as a business associate of John Ray; referenced in rental and financial records.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home of the Grapevine Tavern (operated by John Ray), residences of John Larry Ray and Jerry Ray, and locations of financial transactions.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Residence of John Ray and location of his contact with FBI Agent Spurgeon J. Peterson.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Travel destination for John Ray; mentioned in business ventures.  
- **Tijuana, Mexico**: Travel destination for John Ray.  
- **Wyoming**: Travel and financial transactions linked to John Ray.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Site of Missouri State Penitentiary where James Earl Ray was incarcerated prior to his escape.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., leading to FBI investigation into potential conspirators.  
- **May–June 1968**: FBI interviews with John Ray, Jerry Ray, and Naomi Regazzi regarding James Earl Ray’s whereabouts and activities.  
- **August 30, 1967**: John Ray opened a checking account at Jefferson-Gravois Bank with $1,350 in cash and travelers’ checks.  
- **May 1968**: Naomi Regazzi contacted John Ray after news of MLK’s assassination; he denied knowledge of his brother’s involvement but later admitted prior contact.  
- **June 25, 1968**: Jerry Ray interviewed in Illinois, stating he planned to visit his father in Center, Missouri, and return to St. Louis after his brother’s trial.  
- **Escape of James Earl Ray from Missouri State Penitentiary**: Occurred in April 1967; he was arrested in London on June 8, 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and financial investigations into John Ray, Jerry Ray, and James Earl Ray.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank, St. Louis**: Provided financial records for John Ray’s account.  
- **Rengel Realty Company**: Managed property at 1912 California Avenue rented to John Ray.  
- **Miller & Scheer Real Estate**: Reference in rental and financial records.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Oversight body for FBI investigations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-03-part_5_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search