</s>SL 44-775. With regard to GAVROV'S accomplice, JAMES HENRY RAMSEY, as reflected in the foregoing reports pertaining to the burglary, the following additions information was obtained by SA ALBERT J. RUSHING from records of the St. Louis Police Dept. on 5-11-68. JAMES HENNRY RAMSEY. St.Louis Police Dept. #98763, FBI #375 277 W. HENNY RAMSEy, St. louis St. St ., Listed his parents as C. W. & HATTIE RAMSEYS, Wehner. Ark. his wife as GLORIA JEAN RAMSBY, 1501 S. 10th St. He listed his wife AS GORIA RANSEY 1501S. 1501s. 10oth St. His FBI police files reflect consecutively that he could not possibly be identical with subject RAY. (The identification record for example includes state penning the date time subject for example including state Penning the period, RAMSEY time subject cribbed in the police records as a white male, born in at Grubbs, Ark ., black or gray hair, brown eyes, swallow com- plexion, slender build, bartender and laboror. COVER PAGE SS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s criminal activities, prison associations, and post-escape movements from 1959 to 1968. Key information includes his 1959 parole from Illinois State Penitentiary (Menard) following a 20-year sentence for a 1959 Kroger Store robbery in St. Louis, Missouri, where he and co-conspirator Owen committed the crime under intoxication. Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1963–1965) involved alleged drug sales, loan operations, and interactions with inmates like James Wallace. Post-release, Ray was tracked through financial records, including a Jefferson-Cravois Bank account closed in 1968, and his association with individuals such as JAMES HENRY RAMSEY (linked to burglary cases), ROBBY ASH (methamphetamine sales), and JACK E. GAWRON (burglary suspect). Ray’s alleged escape from Missouri State Penitentiary via a bread delivery truck in April 1967 is noted, alongside FBI inquiries into his activities, including potential ties to Mexico and illicit networks. A section by James L. Owens describes Ray’s parole period, detailing thefts, target shooting, and interactions at the St. Louis Rescue Mission, with Owens noting Ray’s preference for pistols, avoidance of alcohol, and alleged financial motives for any involvement in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967, incarcerated at Illinois State Penitentiary (Menard) following the 1959 Kroger Store robbery.  
- **Owen**: Co-conspirator in the 1959 Kroger Store robbery; later released in 1963 after serving seven years.  
- **James L. Owens**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who described Ray’s parole activities, including thefts and interactions at the St. Louis Rescue Mission.  
- **JAMES HENRY RAMSEY**: Linked to burglary cases; listed with St. Louis Police Dept. #98763 and FBI #375277 (SSN redacted).  
- **ROBBY ASH**: Inmate from Kansas City allegedly involved in methamphetamine sales.  
- **JACK E. GAWRON**: Burglary suspect incarcerated in 1967; associated with JERRY PAY’s passport application.  
- **JERRY PAY**: Alleged individual seeking to sell the GRAPEVINE TAVERN for travel funds.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Sites of the 1959 Kroger Store robbery, St. Louis Rescue Mission, and country clubs (e.g., Rath and Tennis Club, Bellefontaine Country Club).  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Missouri State Penitentiary; Ray’s incarceration and escape details.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Mentioned in investigations into Ray’s former residence.  
- **Mexico**: Alleged ties to Ray’s post-release activities.  
- **Renz Farm (Jefferson County)**: Site of Ray’s alleged prison escape via bread delivery truck.  

Key Events  
- **April 1967**: James Earl Ray escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary, allegedly using a bread delivery truck.  
- **May–June 1968**: FBI surveillance of Ray’s associates, including JAMES LOMA OWENS and other inmates, to track his movements.  
- **June 1968**: FBI investigation into Ray’s financial activities, including bank account records and postal inquiries.  
- **1959 Kroger Store robbery**: Ray and Owen robbed a store in St. Louis, Missouri, leading to Ray’s 20-year sentence.  
- **1959 parole period**: Ray’s alleged thefts, target shooting, and interactions at the St. Louis Rescue Mission during his release from Illinois State Penitentiary.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities, financial records, and prison associations.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and alleged escape planning.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary (Menard)**: Ray’s incarceration from 1963–1965.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Provided records on James Henry Ramsey and other suspects.  
- **Jefferson-Cravois Bank**: Maintained financial records linked to Ray’s checking account.  
- **St. Louis Bartenders Union (Local #51)**: Mentioned in employment checks for Jerry Raynes, though no prior bartending employment was found.

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_06-03-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search