</s>ME 44-1987 2 JAMES T. BOND, is currently in Cuyahoga County Jall, Cleveland, Ohio, for carrying a concealed weapon and had been an inmate to Missouri State Penitentiary from October 1962 until December 1965. RAY was a bread man, working in the bakery. slicing the bread for meals, RAY was a racist and was many times heard discussing his dislike for Negroes. RAY was the bread man. RAY has a racist was was a nose dropper for needles to shoot the solution made up from the ampitheasant powders into his veins. at a price between $50 and $100 per spoonful, and on occasion would break down the amount of powder he would occasion could break down in the powder. He would amphetanine was not available for RAY would break up bennies" and use it. "He was a "lone wolf", never discussed his own personal background, and was an avid reader of sex books and girl behind, and as he was out to get him to him. He had a feeling that everyone was out of him. Also had a habit of pulling his left ear constantly. RAV purchased the top cop at Missouri State Pentitentiary. as the top cop of Missouri State PENTENTIALY. RAY had talked to escaping on numerous occasions and on one occasion he caught with a rope and hook. He also participated in a tunnel job was discovered, though the authorities were unaware of who had been involved in this attempt. JAMES HARVEY BRADLEY, JR, currently incarcerated in U. S. Penitentiaries were unaware to who had had involved 8545, S. Sentimental, Leavenworth, Kansas, under number number postal laws. BRADLET DISLAVERY, Kansas. under number personally laws. JIMMY Z, BRADELEY has Missouri State Sententiary Number 71844 is currently serving a life sentence. He was incarcerated in December 1956. He knew JAMES EARL RAY was an employee in Hall for a time and knew he lived alone in a cell in K Hall. He always desired to cell alone. 49 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1968) and his alleged associations with other inmates, including drug use, escape attempts, and discussions about potential involvement in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Inmates reported RAY mentioned receiving offers for money to kill MLK, referencing a "Business Association" offering $100,000 for the assassination. RAY also discussed plans to flee to Mexico or Canada, claiming he would collect a bounty on MLK’s head if he were alive. Physical descriptions of RAY, such as his cleft chin and distinctive gait, are noted. Inmates like Jimmy Carpenter, Thomas Britton Carpenelli, and Curtis reported RAY’s statements about the assassination bounty and escape routes. Other accounts describe RAY’s solitary nature, lack of criminal connections, and routine prison activities, though some inmates speculated about economic motives for targeting MLK. The documents also reference FBI case numbers (e.g., 94 2025) and mention interactions with individuals like Walter Terry Rife, Eric Stavo Galt, Rita Stein, Charles Stein, and John Eugene Gawron, who alleged ties to drug trafficking, financial transactions, and political activities in New Orleans under George Wallace’s campaign.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Central figure; described as a loner with racist views, drug use, and alleged ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Walter Terry Rife** (FBI #4558786): Incarcerated with RAY at Leavenworth; denied knowledge of his activities but noted RAY’s prejudice against Black individuals.  
- **Eric Stavo Galt**: Linked to RAY through alleged financial transactions, travel to New Orleans, and connections with Rita Stein and Charles Stein.  
- **Rita Stein** and **Charles Stein**: Reported traveling with Galt to New Orleans for voter registration under George Wallace’s campaign; noted Galt’s possession of a Kodak camera box and use of $10/$20 bills.  
- **John Eugene Gawron**: Former associate of RAY; claimed RAY trafficked drugs and barbiturates while incarcerated and had ties to Albert Pepper and Carol Ray (RAY’s sister).  
- **Harry Sero**: Inmate who speculated about economic motives for targeting MLK, though no confirmed plan was established.  
- **Dyrell Dennis**: Hotel worker in Milwaukee who reported contact with Galt in 1968; described him as white, slender, and nervous.  
- **Marie Martin**: Cocktail waitress at the St. Francis Hotel; interacted with Galt and planned travel with Rita Stein.  
- **Ginger Lee Nance**: Resided in Dixon, Illinois; mentioned working as a prostitute in California and interactions with Galt.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City): Primary incarceration site for RAY and other inmates; location of drug use, escape attempts, and prison crimes.  
- **Leavenworth, Kansas**: Site of incarceration for Walter Terry Rife and James Earl Ray.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Destination for voter registration under George Wallace’s campaign; referenced in Galt’s alleged business dealings.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Involvement of Rita Stein, Charles Stein, and the St. Francis Hotel.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home of John Eugene Gawron and associated with RAY’s criminal activities.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned in context of RAY’s reported newspaper reading and connections.  

Key Events  
- **RAY’s escape attempts** from Missouri State Penitentiary (April 1967).  
- **Discussions among inmates** about a $100,000 bounty for MLK’s assassination, referencing the "Business Association."  
- **Alleged prison crimes**: Tunneling, robberies, and drug trafficking involving RAY and other inmates.  
- **Travel to New Orleans** (December 1967) by Rita Stein and Charles Stein with Eric Stavo Galt for voter registration under George Wallace’s campaign.  
- **Financial transactions** involving $10/$20 bills and a Kodak camera box, linked to Galt.  
- **Speculation by Harry Sero** about economic motives for targeting MLK, though not confirmed.  
- **Drug trafficking allegations**: John Eugene Gawron claimed RAY trafficked drugs and barbiturates while incarcerated.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Involved in investigations of James Earl Ray (case #94 2025), Walter Terry Rife (FBI #4558786), and others; referenced in inmate identification numbers and investigations.  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Mentioned in records of stolen money orders and forgery cases linked to RAY’s activities.  
- **George Wallace’s Political Campaign**: Context for voter registration efforts in New Orleans, tied to Eric Stavo Galt’s alleged business dealings.  
- **Bank of America**: Involved in financial transactions including money orders and cash exchanges.  
- **Safety Deposit Box services** (Bank): Mentioned in records of stolen money orders.  
- **Automobile registration and purchase records**: Linked to RAY’s fugitive activity and financial transactions.  
- **Laundromats and cleaners** (e.g., Home Service Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company): Associated with miscellaneous financial activities.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ce-1365_738554_05-02-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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