</s>ME 44-1987 Indiana State Penitentiary. He claims to have last seen the subject some 2 to 4 years ago when the subject subject to at the Missouri State Penitentialary, the subject to and he claims to have been him prior to that time about 15 years ago at which time the U.S. Army. time about just been discharged from the U. S. Army JOHN will admit to having visited the subject at the MSP only 3 or 4 times. records reflect visits by JOHN on the MSP following dates: 10/17/62 10/7/63 7/7 /63 5/11/63 5/6/63 11/13/66 5/16/66 11/17 /66 12/22/66 12/20/66 22/22 /67 It should be noted that this last visit on April 22, 1967, occurred on the day prior to the 1967, according to April 23, 1967, however, JOHN RAY denies having had any part in the subject's escape. JOHN RAY has expressed the belief that the subject had money in his possession when he subject had many in the possession when the of amphetamines while the subject was inale of the MPS. JOHN has also stated he believes the MSP. JOHN was also stated that he believes the subject has been told states as would do this if he ever got out of prison. JOHN denies have been the subject since the subject's escaping and claims to HAVE no information concerning his whereabouts. 41 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1959–1967), his alleged drug use, escape planning, and interactions with inmates and family members. Ray was described as a quiet individual involved in prison labor, smuggling activities, and discussions about financial gain from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though these claims lack direct evidence. Inmates reported his interest in Spanish, Mexico, and tunneling attempts for escape. Family members such as John Ray, Jerry Ray, and Frank Ryan (killed in 1963) were noted, with some denying knowledge of Ray’s post-escape whereabouts. The text includes FBI case numbers, prison records, and references to alleged smuggling operations near Campsue Bay, Mexico, as well as travel movements between Los Angeles, New Orleans, and St. Louis.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted criminal incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary; linked to MLK assassination allegations via inmate statements and financial incentives.  
- **John Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; denied involvement in escape planning.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; divorced from Gerdis Street.  
- **Frank Ryan**: Brother of James Earl Ray, killed in 1963.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of James Earl Ray; married to Albert Pepper.  
- **Melba Marie Ryan**: Sister of James Earl Ray; recipient of disability pension.  
- **Susan Donian**: Sister of James Earl Ray; foster child.  
- **Ruby Carpenter**: Stepmother of James Earl Ray; divorced from his father.  
- **William E. Maher**: Uncle of James Earl Ray; claimed last saw him in 1959.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail, Jack Fox Lampenberg, Frank Joseph Guinan, Sterling Junior Jimmy Carpenter, Billy Edward Miles, Donald Dean Rigger, Harry Sero**: Inmates who described Ray’s behavior, drug use, smuggling activities, and alleged connections to MLK assassination discussions.  
- **Eric Galt**: Alleged alias for James Earl Ray; linked to travel between Los Angeles and New Orleans in 1967, financial transactions, and associations with criminal associates.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central location for Ray’s incarceration; site of drug sales, escape planning, and inmate interactions.  
- **Campsue Bay, Mexico**: Mentioned in connection to smuggling operations and alleged hideouts.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Referenced as a place Ray may have lived or visited; locations include Provincetown Hotel, French Quarter, and Chamelette-Industrial Canal area.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Locations tied to family members like Melba Marie Ryan and Ruby Carpenter; Grapvine Tavern operated by John Ray.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Linked to Eric Galt’s activities, including the St. Francis Hotel and Sultan Room in Hollywood.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967**: Reported by inmates like Donald Johnson and James Fletcher; details remain unclear.  
- **Alleged drug sales by Ray and associates**: Inmates noted Ray’s involvement in selling amphetamines to other prisoners.  
- **Discussions about MLK assassination**: Some inmates claimed Ray mentioned financial incentives related to King’s death, though these were presented as speculative conversations.  
- **Smuggling operations**: Ray linked to smuggling goods from Brownsville, Texas, into Mexico via Campsue Bay.  
- **Travel between Los Angeles and New Orleans (December 17–21, 1967)**: GALT’s movements included interactions with STEIN, CLOVINA ALONZO, and JERI; financial transactions for travel expenses.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Involved in tracking individuals like Eric Galt; referenced case numbers (e.g., FBI #581 723 D).  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central institution where Ray and other inmates were incarcerated.  
- **Mexican smuggling networks**: Implied through references to Ray’s alleged connections with individuals in Mexico.  
- **Prison kitchens and hospitals**: Sites of interactions between Ray and other inmates, including his work as a slicer and hospital visits.  
- **Black Muslims**: Mentioned as a group that petitioned for religious services at a prison, leading to unrest and riots.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ip-563_404058_167-02-part_5_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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