</s>1 SL 44-775 HRD:paw Fellow Prisoner: DONALD DEAN RIGGER AT MOORELY, MISSOURI THE following investigation was conducted by SA WILLIAM R. DUNCAN on April 26, 1968. The following investigation Was conducted by Training School for Men, Moroby, Missouri, Number 03959, Missouri Inmate DONALD DEA RIGER, Number 03359, Missouri had been convicted in December of 1951, and had been an immediate at the Missouri State Penitentiary, Jefferson City, inmate at the Mississippi State Penitentialary, Jefferson County, While there, he worked in the kitchen at the Penitentiary with RAY. with RIGBER stated that no one no one really friendly with RAV. RIGGER stated that prior to his apprehension he had jumped bond and had had been in Salpillo Conullis, Mexico. Following his apprehension, he received mail from Mexico. RAY was aware of this and asked questions of him concerning the economy in Mexico. He received particular interest in the Mexico state that he noticed particular interests in under the circumstances that IIGGER explained into the Mexican Army they could effectively lose their identities. RIGGER stated that 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 Missouri State Prison in Jefferson City. Missouri. RIGGRER was unable to offer any suggestions as to the present whereabouts of subject. 183 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail investigations conducted by federal agents into inmate associations and backgrounds in Missouri prisons, focusing on individuals such as Donald Dean Rigger, James Russell, and John Paul Velanti. These records include prison disciplinary actions, escape attempts, and interactions between inmates. Mentions of James Earl Ray are noted in the context of his association with other prisoners, but no direct connection to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. is made. The documents also contain personal details about inmates, including tattoos, employment history, and family information, without explicit reference to MLK or related investigations.  

Key People  
- Donald Dean Rigger (inmate number 03359): Convicted in 1951, worked in the kitchen at the Mississippi State Penitentiary with Ray; mentioned as having jumped bond and received mail from Mexico.  
- James Russell: Inmate at Missouri Training School for Men; associated with Robert Powell and James Earl Ray; noted Ray’s escape attempts affecting prison privileges.  
- John Paul Velanti (JOHNNY PAUL VELANTI): Radio broadcaster in St. Louis, interviewed by FBI; did not recognize photographs of James Earl Ray but described his time at the Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- James Earl Ray: Mentioned as an inmate associated with other prisoners, including Rigger and Powell; no direct link to MLK assassination investigation is provided.  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)  
- Mississippi State Penitentiary (Jefferson County)  
- St. Louis, Missouri  
- Morberly, Missouri  
- 1630–1636 South 18th Street, St. Louis  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Donald Dean Rigger’s prison associations and escape attempts.  
- Inquiry into James Russell’s interactions with inmates Robert Powell and James Earl Ray.  
- FBI interview of John Paul Velanti regarding his employment, residence, and potential connections to James Earl Ray.  
- Documentation of inmate tattoos, parole status, and personal details without explicit ties to MLK assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary  
- Mississippi State Penitentiary  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Commercial Credit Rating Company (mentioned in context of Ray E. Warren’s credit history)

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_05-01-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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