</s>1 10 45-31-80 44-10-38981 SERIALS 3937 ONLY ORIGINAL H. S. Department of Justice 40-10389861-1-0-0 (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FIL ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU SECTION 49 SETTIAN 40 SERIAL'S 3981 ONLY ONLY ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HERITANS UNCLASSIFIED DAI/10/01/01 by SpicyCK/CK ATTENTION ORIGINAL BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT OR PROCESSIONING ANY RELEASE TO FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FO/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. F/O/PA SECTION UNITD, EXT, 5767." USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS F DO NOT DESTROY HISTORIAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVE Transfer-Call 421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document details an FBI investigation into James Earl Ray (JER), a fugitive linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Conducted by the Springfield Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) between April and May 1968, the report outlines efforts to locate Ray and assess his connections to MLK’s murder. It includes interviews with informants such as Walter Terry Rife, records from law enforcement agencies, and analysis of Ray’s associates, including Harvey Edward Lohmeyer and members of the Minutemen Organization in Quincy, Illinois. The investigation references prior threats against MLK, Ray’s criminal history, and interactions with individuals in Quincy, Illinois. It also notes the FBI’s review of prison records, telephone logs, and surveillance activities related to Ray’s movements. Administrative details mention declassification under Executive Order 14176 and references to other FBI files (SI 44-561, Bureau File #44-38861) as part of the broader investigation into JER’s activities.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Fugitive linked to MLK’s assassination; subject of the investigation.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Informant contacted by FBI regarding Ray’s whereabouts.  
- **Harvey Edward Lohmeyer**: Investigated for potential connections to Ray and MLK-related threats.  
- **John C. Medizer, Jr.**: Individual with prior threats against MLK; mentioned in the context of Ray’s associates.  
- **Thomas R. Loweyers, Donald L. Loweyers, Walter R. Loweyers**: Relatives of Lohmeyer; details about their arrests, employment, and residences in Quincy, Illinois.  

Key Locations:  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Central location for interviews, telephone records, and investigations into Ray’s associates.  
- **Springfield Division (FBI)**: Conducted primary investigative efforts, including surveillance and informant contacts.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary (Ponte, Illinois)**: Reviewed records of inmates potentially connected to Ray.  

Key Events:  
- **April 7–19, 1968**: FBI interviews with informants regarding Ray’s last known whereabouts and interactions with Walter Terry Rife.  
- **May 1, 1968**: Interview with SI 1664-RProb about a Minutemen Organization member resembling Ray.  
- **Prior Threats Against MLK**: Investigation into threats made by individuals linked to Ray, including John C. Medizer, Jr., before MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation, with Springfield Division as the primary unit.  
- **Minutemen Organization**: Mentioned in connection to a suspect resembling Ray.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Reviewed for inmate records related to Ray’s associates.  

Summary:  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into James Earl Ray (FBI #3064434A) conducted between April 1968 and March 1969. Key findings include Ray's employment history, family connections, and interviews with individuals in Quincy, Illinois. Ray was employed by various companies including Dust Dairy, Honorexam Industries, and the International Shoe Company. His family members, such as Walter R. Loher, Harvey Edward Loher, and others, were interviewed regarding his whereabouts and associations. The investigation also included military service records, medical history, and addresses linked to Ray. No direct connection to Martin Luther King Jr. or the assassination is mentioned in the text.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray (FBI #3064434A)**  
- **Walter R. Loher**  
- **Harvey Edward Loher**  
- **Donald L. Lottery**  
- **Robert Kelly**  
- **John O'Dear**  
- **Viola Mayfield**  
- **Floyd Riffe**  
- **Rosie Riffe**  
- **Sergeant Roland Hanson**  

Key Locations:  
- **Quincy, Illinois**  
- **Alton, Illinois**  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**  
- **Chicago, Illinois**  
- **Hartford, Illinois**  

Key Events:  
- FBI interviews with individuals in Quincy, Illinois (April 1968–March 1969)  
- Employment records from Dust Dairy, Honorexam Industries, and International Shoe Company  
- Military service records for James Earl Ray (U.S. Army, 1943–1945)  
- Medical history including treatment at Quincy Clinique (1958)  
- Investigation into Ray's family connections and potential associations  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**  
- **U.S. Probation and Parole Office**  
- **Selective Service System**  
- **Alton Police Department**  
- **Quincy Police Department**  

Summary:  
The document details information provided by George Parsons, a supervisor for the Illinois Youth Commission, regarding the RYAN family in Quincy, Illinois. It outlines the family's history of legal issues, foster care placements, and criminal activities. Key members include LUCILLE RYAN (mother), JAMES EARL RAY (son), MELBA MARIE RYAN, CAROL RYAN, FRANKLIN D. RYAN, and others. The family faced multiple dependency court cases, with several children placed in foster care or Catholic orphanages. LUCILLE RYAN is noted as a prostitute, and some family members were involved in criminal activities, including robbery and incarceration. The document also references legal proceedings, custody transfers, and psychological evaluations of family members.  

Key People:  
- **George Parsons (Illinois Youth Commission supervisor)**  
- **LUCILLE RYAN (mother)**  
- **JAMES EARL RAY (son)**  
- **MELBA MARIE RYAN**  
- **CAROL RYAN**  
- **FRANKLIN D. RYAN (also known as BUZZY RYAN)**  
- **JERRY RAY**  
- **JACK RAY**  
- **GERALD RYAN (father)**  

Key Locations:  
- **Quincy, Illinois**  
- **Alton, Illinois**  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**  
- **Jacksonville, Illinois (Jacksonville State Hospital)**  
- **St. Charles, Illinois (St. Charles Reformatory)**  
- **Chicago, Illinois**  

Key Events:  
- Legal dependency cases for the RYAN family members (1955–1965)  
- Placement of children in foster care or Catholic orphanages  
- LUCILLE RYAN's history as a prostitute and involvement in criminal activities  
- Criminal charges against JAMES EARL RAY and others (robbery, attempted prostitution solicitation)  
- Psychological evaluations of JERRY W. RYAN  
- Death of FRANKLIN D. RYAN in 1962–1963 via automobile accident  

Key Organizations:  
- **Illinois Youth Commission**  
- **Catholic Charities (Springfield, Illinois)**  
- **Adams County Circuit Court (Quincy, Illinois)**  
- **Jacksonville State Hospital**  
- **St. Charles Boys' Reformatory**

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_14-05-part_1_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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