</s>AT 44-2386 JTbibjo used amphitheater, taking the shot in the "main line." He used amphitamine, taking two shots in a day. He stated RAY RAY would take two people to three shots a day, but he stated of income. DOWDA stated he was certain RAY was not selling of income, DOWA stated he is not certain RAY was not sold. amphetamine to other prisoners. stating he has known RAY do give free amphitamines to prisoners who needed a shot. do give Free amphitamene to prisoners he needed to shoot. But admitted has taken pills. DOMDA claimed he and RAY were not engaged in the sale of amphitamate at the Missouri State Prison. DOWA started that HAROLD SCHAPFER, Guard on the gate in the DOWIA stated that HAROLID SCHAPPER, Guard was very close to JAMES EARL RAY and it was DOWADA's understanding that SCHAPBER was RAY'S source of amphitheatre. He started BENJAMIN O. GOODIN was a civilian in charge of the kitchen the bringing of an amphitamina into the prison. He stood while GOODIn was friendly with RAY, and he understood it was GOODIN who was responsible for the hiding place when RAY had a attempted murder in 1966. closest friend in the Missouri State Prison and was RAV'S DOWDA advised on NEIL ABBY (phonetic) was RASY'S sible for bringing RAY at the kitchen. He attended ABBY At this time he was chief cook on the prison and was responsible at this time that chief cook at the prison, he believes He does know that he was a prisoner. He also believes He does knew that a dope was connected with ABBY's offense. He stated ABBY had a detainer as he was an escape He stated that he had a detainee on him as he knew whether he or not ABBY is presently in custody but does not believe he is presently in the Mississippi State Prison. He stated RAY has another friend, one DONALD DEAN RIGGER. He states RAY that was from California and RIGGER'S wife was a psychiatrist at the Napa State Hospital, which 32 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI investigative records from April 1968 related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and subsequent efforts to locate James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to the crime. It details Ray’s incarceration in Missouri State Prison (MSP), where he allegedly engaged in drug distribution through prison staff such as Benjamin O. Goodin and Harold Schapfer, and his associations with inmates like Neil Abby. Ray’s criminal activities, including burglary of post offices and handling stolen postal orders, are noted by Raymond Louis Curtis, an inmate who shared time with him at Jackson County Jail and Leavenworth Prison. The text references a bounty on MLK’s head, with Ray allegedly discussing plans to collect it, including potential use of foreign banks (New Zealand, Brazil, Switzerland) for money laundering. FBI efforts to track Ray include flight records from Memphis to Houston via Delta Airlines, hotel check-ins at locations such as the Rice Hotel in Houston, and interviews with witnesses like Delta stewardesses and limousine drivers. Fingerprint comparisons, credit bureau checks, and eliminations of other suspects (e.g., William Leo Beer, James Herman Silver) are detailed. Ray’s alleged travel to Mexico City, Honduras, and San Pedro Sula is noted, along with his employment history and interactions with individuals in the U.S. and abroad.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; incarcerated at MSP, Jackson County Jail, Leavenworth Prison; alleged drug distribution, burglary activities).  
- **LEWIS RAYMOND DOWDA** (inmate at MSP; provided information about Ray’s drug access, movements, and employment history).  
- **BENJAMIN O. GOODIN** (civilian kitchen supervisor at MSP; linked to Ray’s alleged drug smuggling).  
- **HAROLD SCHAPFER** (guard at MSP gate; described as close to Ray and possibly a source of amphetamines).  
- **NEIL ABBY** (prisoner at MSP; associated with Ray and drug distribution).  
- **RAYMOND LOUIS CURTIS** (inmate who shared prison time with Ray; detailed Ray’s alleged criminal activities, including burglary and postal order theft).  
- **Vincent Walker**, **Lawrence Rand** (alleged accomplices or associates of Ray).  
- **John Williard**, **Johnny Ragley** (individuals checked for identification during FBI investigations).  
- **Glen Parrill**, **Hayden Delao** (hotel and transportation personnel involved in tracking suspects).  
- **Charles Ray Johnson** (investigated for potential ties to Heart of America Shows in Tampa, Florida; no employment records confirmed).  
- **James W. Hammons** (linked to credit card transactions and vehicle purchases during FBI background checks).  
- **James Stedman** (interviewed about MLK’s assassination; denied involvement but expressed prior statements suggesting belief in another suspect).  
- **SMITH** (Rice University, April 5, 1968; eliminated as a suspect via photographs sent to San Antonio in May 1966).  
- **Lou** (waitress linked to NASA or Gulf Coast areas; point of inquiry during investigations).  
- **ELEAN LUCRETTAN GALT** (received a traffic ticket in Kemah, Texas; referenced in connection with NASA facilities).  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Prison (MSP)** (central location for Ray’s incarceration and drug-related activities).  
- **Jackson County Jail, Kansas City, Missouri** (prison where Ray and Curtis were incarcerated).  
- **Leavenworth Prison, Kansas** (where Ray was later sentenced for burglary-related offenses).  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968).  
- **Houston, Texas** (flight destination; Rice Hotel, Sheraton Lincoln Hotel, Downtown Hotel; Nassau Bay Hotel).  
- **Mexico City, Mexico** (suspect’s alleged travel route).  
- **Honduras**, **San Pedro Sula** (Ray’s reported stay).  
- **Rice University, Houston, Texas** (location of SMITH’s presence on April 5, 1968).  
- **NASA facilities in League City, Texas** (inquired about during investigations into John Willard and others).  
- **Corpus Christi, Galveston, Webster, and League City, Texas** (sites of dance school interviews and inquiries).  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis.  
- **April 5–7, 1968**: FBI investigation into Ray’s movements, including flight from Memphis to Houston and hotel check-ins.  
- **April 10–29, 1968**: Fingerprint comparisons, credit checks, and interviews with witnesses to eliminate suspects (e.g., Beer, Silver).  
- **April 1968**: Suspect’s alleged travel to Mexico and Honduras, with connections to construction companies and oil firms.  
- **May 1966**: Photographs sent to San Antonio to eliminate SMITH as a suspect.  
- **Credit card transactions linked to James W. Hammons** (Gulf Credit Card No. 1, Louisiana license SHOOT).  
- **Interview of James Stedman** regarding MLK’s assassination (denied involvement but expressed prior statements about potential suspects).  
- **Investigation into John Willard’s identity and connections to NASA or dance studios**.  
- **Efforts to locate a waitress named "LOU"** with ties to NASA or Gulf Coast areas.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (conducting the investigation; used credit bureaus, telephone directories, and fingerprint comparisons).  
- **Delta Airlines**, **Houston Police Department** (assisting in tracking suspects via flight records and hotel check-ins).  
- **Mexican authorities**, **Honduran authorities** (involved in suspect’s travel records).  
- **Heart of America Shows** (traveling carnival; Charles Ray Johnson investigated for potential employment ties).  
- **Itasca Dance Studio** (dance school in League City, Texas; John Willard interviewed as a dancer).  
- **NASA Security Office** (inquired about during investigations into John Willard and others).  
- **Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Webster, Texas dance schools** (sites of interviews for individuals under names like RAY, Weinberg, Galt, Willard).

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_06-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

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