</s>FD-204 (Rev. 3-4-0) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FREDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Copy to: Report of: SA. HAROLD R. DOBSON St. LOUIS Date: June. 26, 1968 Office: St ., LOUis Field Office File No. SL: 44-775 44-38861 Title: JAMES EARL RAY: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR - DR. MARIN LUTHER KING, Jr. - VICTIM CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY: UNULAWAL FLIGHT TO AVOID CONFINEMENT - ROBBERRY Character: SYNOPOLIS: RAY unknown to St. Louis Bartenders' Union, and did not seek employment at Bartenders at country clubs, St.Louis or St. St. louis or St ., Louis Co ., MSP inmate JAMES D. WALLACE Siegelged he and wife observed subject to JAMES LOAMA OWENS at entrance of Jefferson-Gravois Bank, subject at that location 1965. Mrs. WALACE Sledged he and said to recall WALLACE at and that location 1865. MRS. WILLACE unable to recall incident. Bank has no record of any business with RAY O'WENS, incident: Bank has not record of $10 and any business without RAY OWENS, three times between 5/10 and 17/67, in 1800 block of South 11th Street, SLMO; that subject borrowed $10. and indicated that desired gun. Neighborhood negative $10/67. BRANNEN told him to SAUL LANTY No. No. 1,000 block of $1,000. BANNEN held him to the South 1st Street, RAY briefly in 1800 brick of Kiss Ave ., SLMO, two weeks following NSP esc escobar, BRANNENN denied, No. 1880 block of Miss. Neighborhood NSP Escobar, BANNENN denied. No 1800 block to Miss. No, No,000 Block of Miss, Neighborhood individus. A question, but not arrested and above areas for 1967. negotiated as to persons of RAY's name, and allasses. No unidentified negative as to passers-on, and no. 1. Understood unknown to Salvation Army or other charitable type missions. JAMES DAVID DAILY DALLEY denied acquaintance and association with RAV. Interviews with fellow prisoners set out. with fellow inmates set out, denied JERRY BAYNES, CAROL PEPPER and JOHN LAKEY reposted to MSP ESCAPE, with RRAY or knowledge of 1.15 Waterbottes subsequent to NSP Escape. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. This document contains neither recommendations nor conditions nor conditions of the FRL. Is the property of the FBI and is licensed to your agency it is to be used to distribute outside your agency. It is

Summary  
The document contains FBI investigative records related to James Earl Ray’s activities in St. Louis, Missouri, during 1968, with a focus on his parole status, employment history, and associations. It details Ray’s alleged connections with former inmates, including Robert Odel Brown, Lafayette Dilt, and Jerry Ryan, as well as his employment at the St. Louis Rescue Mission in 1959. The text references FBI efforts to locate Ray through interviews, bank records, and prison files, noting his interest in firearms and characterization as a "loner." A single mention of "MARTIN LUTHER KING" appears in the context of Ray’s alleged post-escape plans but does not establish direct ties to the assassination investigation. The document also includes administrative notes on case procedures and redactions.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- Robert Odel Brown (former schoolmate and teacher)  
- Lafayette Dilt (former bootlegger, alleged former neighbor)  
- Jerry Ryan (alleged associate at St. Louis Penitentiary)  
- Ida Owens (mother of James Loma Owens)  
- Mildred Owens (wife of James Loma Owens)  
- George Spink (individual contacted regarding James Loma Owens’ employment history)  
- Owens (full name unspecified, associated with Ray in criminal activities)  
- Mrs. James D. Wallace (spouse of a former inmate who reported interaction with an unidentified man at the Jefferson-Gravois Bank)  
- A.G. Arb (Vice President of Jefferson-Gravois Bank)  
- Mr. Phillipson (Assistant Vice President of Jefferson-Gravois Bank)  
- SAA Howard C. Kennedy (FBI agent conducting investigation)  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri (primary focus; includes South 11th Street, Jefferson-Gravois Bank, and country clubs)  
- Quincy, Illinois (mentioned in relation to Lafayette Dilt’s residence)  
- Leavenworth, Kansas (U.S. Penitentiary where James Loma Owens was incarcerated)  
- Jefferson-Gravois Bank, St. Louis, Missouri  
- Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company, St. Louis, Missouri  
- South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis  

Key Events  
- Ray’s parole from Illinois State Penitentiary in 1959 and subsequent employment at the St. Louis Rescue Mission  
- FBI investigation into Ray’s whereabouts and associations in 1968  
- Interviews to verify Ray’s employment history, including at Arnold Chevrolet Company  
- Documentation of Ray’s alleged criminal activities, including theft and burglary  
- Mrs. Wallace’s testimony about her husband waving to an unidentified man at the Jefferson-Gravois Bank in late July 1967  
- FBI review of bank records to determine if Ray or James Loma Owens had accounts or transactions at Jefferson-Gravois Bank or Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company during relevant periods  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- St. Louis Rescue Mission (where Ray was employed during parole)  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (mentioned in relation to James Loma Owens’ incarceration)  
- Jefferson-Gravois Bank  
- Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company  
- Local Bartenders’ Union #51 (investigated for potential employment ties to Ray)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_18-04-part_1_of_5.pdf

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