</s>ME 44-1987 Indiana State Penitentiary, he claims to have last seen the subject some 2 to 4 years ago when he visited the subject at the State Penitentialary (MSP). and he claims to have seen him prior to that time about 15 years ago in which time the subject had just been discharged from the U. S. Army. JOHN will admit to having visited the subject at NSP only 3 or 4 times. records reflect only by JOHN on the following dates: 10/17/62 11/17,62 11/11/63 11/13/63 5/16/63 7/10/66 11/12/66 11/22/66 4/22 /66 11/23/66 It should be noted that this last visit on April 22, 1967, occurred on the day prior to the subject's escape on April 23, on April 23. 1967,JOHN RAY denies having had 1967; however, JOHN RAY denied having had any part in the subject'S escape. JOHN RAT has expressed the belief that the subject had money in his possession when he subject had made money in the possession of the sale of amphetamines while the subject was in of the MSP. JOHN has also stated that he believes the MSP, JOHN has already stated that the states the subject has had to hold him he has would do this if he ever got out of prison. JOHN denies having seen the suspect since the subject's's escape and claims to HAVE no information concerning his whereabouts. 41 2015 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail accounts of James Earl Ray (JER)’s incarceration at multiple state and federal penitentiaries between 1962 and 1967, including Missouri State Penitentiary, Mississippi State Penitentiary, Arkansas State Penitentiary, Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, and others. Inmates describe Ray as a loner engaged in petty theft, drug dealing, smuggling, and escape planning. His alleged activities include possession of firearms, interactions with Black Muslim prisoners, and racist remarks toward Black individuals. Some inmates speculate about his potential involvement in violent acts against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though no direct evidence is provided. Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary is discussed, with claims that he used a bread box delivery method. References to drug trafficking within prisons include the sale of amphetamines by inmates like Kenneth Lee Wade and Glen Shurnick. The text also mentions JER’s alleged financial motives for targeting MLK, including a claim he sought $100,000,000 for his actions. Other individuals associated with Ray or MLK include family members (e.g., Frank Delano Ryan, Melba Marie Ryan), prison associates (e.g., Jerry William Ray, John Ray), and figures like Carol Pepper and Ruby Carpenter. The documents reference speculative connections to bounties on MLK, smuggling routes through Mexico, and interactions at locations such as Grapevine Tavern and Ruby’s Bar.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER): Central suspect in MLK’s assassination; incarcerated at multiple penitentiaries; described as a loner involved in drug dealing, smuggling, and escape planning.  
- Frank Delano Ryan: Deceased brother of JER; mentioned in prison visit records.  
- Melba Marie Ryan: Sister of JER; recipient of disability pension.  
- Jerry William Ray: Prison associate of JER; divorced from Gerdis Street.  
- John Ray: Claims to have visited MLK in prison.  
- Carol Pepper: Wife of Albert Pepper, owner of Grapevine Tavern; associated with Ruby Carpenter.  
- Ruby Carpenter: Stepmother of JER; contact with MLK’s father.  
- William E. Maher and Mildred Maher: Uncles of JER; claim to have last seen MLK in 1959.  
- Paul Alvin Laili, Jack Fox Lampiere, Cecil Clayton Lillbridge, Russell Lee Martin, Frank Joseph Guinan, Sterling Junior Kill, Floyd Evans Hill, John Edward Johnson, Billy Edward Miles, Walter N. Nolan, James Loama Owens, Robert Lynn Powell, James Edward "T.D." Pruett, James R. Nussit, George William Russell, Harold Dean Klem, Frank Maryberry, Harry Sero, Ivan Dale Underwood, James D. Wallace, Jerry Wayne White, Neal Edgar Abee: Inmates who interacted with JER or discussed his activities.  
- Bobby F. Ashe, Joseph Elmer Austin, Lewis Raymond Dowda, Orville Ernest Gann, John Kenneth Hurtin, Donald Johnson, John Paul Velanti, Kenneth Lee Wade, Milton Zavalcovsky, Charles Calvin Bookman, Walter Terry Rife, Dyrell Dennis, Anita Louise Katzwinkel, Marie Martin, Rita Stein, Jerome Wallis Vernon, Ginger Lee Nair: Other individuals mentioned in prison or criminal contexts.  
- John Eugene Gawron: Linked to JER’s alleged drug trafficking and criminal activities; associated with Ruby’s Bar.  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP): Primary incarceration site for JER; inmates described his behavior, escape plans, and interactions.  
- Mississippi State Penitentiary: JER incarcerated here; associated with Lampiere, Guinan, and Abee.  
- Arkansas State Penitentiary: Guinan incarcerated here.  
- Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary: JER’s incarceration site; mentioned in context of FBI investigations.  
- California State Prison: Hill incarcerated here; discussed JER’s escape attempts.  
- Kansas City, Missouri: Owens and others met Ray.  
- Mexico: Mentioned as a destination for Ray’s escape plans or smuggling activities.  
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Ray allegedly lived there; referenced in travel accounts.  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Locations including Dismas House and Ruby’s Bar.  
- Quincy, Illinois; Alton, Menard; Omaha, Oklahoma: Locations tied to JER’s movements or associates.  

Key Events  
- JER’s alleged 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary using a bread box delivery method.  
- Inmate accounts of JER’s drug trafficking activities within prisons, including amphetamine sales.  
- Speculation about JER’s financial motives for targeting MLK, including claims he sought $100,000,000.  
- Inmates’ descriptions of JER’s racist attitudes toward Black individuals and interactions with Black Muslim prisoners.  
- References to bounties on MLK and speculative connections to criminal networks.  
- JER’s alleged smuggling routes through Mexico and Canada; interactions at taverns like Ruby’s Bar.  
- Prisoner associations, including poker games, lottery operations, and smuggling activities.  

Key Organizations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP): Central location for JER’s incarceration and inmate interactions.  
- Mississippi State Penitentiary: Associated with JER’s prison activities.  
- Arkansas State Penitentiary: Guinan incarcerated here.  
- Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary: Mentioned in FBI investigations.  
- Black Muslim prison groups: Described as interacting with JER.  
- Political organizations associated with George Wallace: Mentioned in context of registration for Wallace party.  
- Grapevine Tavern (owned by Carol Pepper): Linked to Ruby Carpenter and potential connections to MLK’s associates.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861-bulky_hs1-233652821_80-07-part_2_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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