</s>PAGE TWO SL 44-775 COMMERICAL BAKERIES UNALBE TO LOCATE RAY EMPLOYMENT TO DATE. HIPPIE NEIGHBORHOODS NEGATIVE. MOBERLY MO STATE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR MEN INNATE DONALD DEAN DRIGGER STATED WHEN HE WAS AT MSP RAY INDICATED INTEREST IN LETTERS DRIGGER RECEIVED FROM MEXICO AND QUESTIONED REGARDING MEXICAN ECONOMY AND ARMY STRUCTURE. SUBJECT ARMED AND DANGEROUS. END SUBJECT ARMED and DANGEROOUS. TAB FBI CHICAGO Q 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents consist of multiple FBI telegrams dated April 29, 1968, detailing investigative efforts related to James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The Chicago FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) coordinates with other field offices (Memphis, St. Louis, Atlanta) to track Ray’s movements and gather information on his past activities. Key details include:  
- Jerry Ray (Ray’s brother) reports that Carol Pepper (Ray’s ex-wife) resides in Whitesburg, Tennessee, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Sartan. The FBI requests interviews with the Sartans to locate Carol.  
- Ray is described as armed and dangerous, with a 1964 green DeSoto car bearing Illinois license plates (KX5820) noted in St. Louis.  
- The FBI seeks fingerprint comparisons of Ray’s prints against latent fingerprints from law enforcement agencies, focusing on his activities since escaping Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967.  
- VA records indicate Ray received payments between May 1949 and January 1952, with Chicago addresses linked to these transactions. A microfilm record shows he was treated for a gunshot wound to the left forearm and skull lacerations at Cook County Hospital.  
- Investigations in Los Angeles explore potential connections between Ray and Charles/Rita Stein, who may have been involved in drug trafficking. Neighbors report Rita Stein’s mother visited their residence prior to 1967 drug activity.  
- The FBI continues monitoring "look-alikes" at gas stations, including a Pure Oil station in Americus, Georgia, narrowing down suspects to 30 customers.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspect linked to MLK’s assassination)  
- Jerry Ray (Ray’s brother, provided information on Carol Pepper)  
- Carol Pepper (Ray’s ex-wife, last known residence in Tennessee)  
- Mr. and Mrs. Willard Sartan (Carol Pepper’s parents)  
- Charles Stein, Rita Stein (suspected drug traffickers in Los Angeles)  

Key Locations:  
- Chicago, Illinois (FBI headquarters for coordination)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (Ray’s reported travel to visit Carol Pepper)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI SAC office involved in tracking Ray)  
- Whitesburg, Tennessee (Carol Pepper’s residence with Sartans)  
- Los Angeles, California (investigation into Stein connections)  
- Americus, Georgia (Pure Oil gas station for look-alike checks)  

Key Events:  
- FBI requests fingerprint comparisons of James Earl Ray to identify potential matches.  
- Jerry Ray provides details on Carol Pepper’s whereabouts and family in Tennessee.  
- VA records and hospital treatments are reviewed to establish Ray’s past activities.  
- Investigations into drug trafficking connections between Ray, Charles Stein, and Rita Stein.  
- Ongoing efforts to locate "look-alikes" at gas stations, including Americus, Georgia.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Chicago SAC, Memphis SAC, St. Louis SAC, Atlanta SAC  
- Veterans Administration (VA) – reviewed Ray’s records  
- Cook County Hospital – documented Ray’s medical treatment for injuries  
- Pure Oil Company – provided information on gas station patrons for look-alike checks

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_02-02-part_7_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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