</s>YPD . 245 (REV. 413-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) DO NOT DESTROY FEDERAL BUREAU ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIIFIED of DATE B2-2-BY-SPICIAL/C/Ces DONOT STRIP INVESTIGATION - - Bureau File Number 44-38861 Volume Number Serialle ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION DO NOT RESTROY - See also Nos. 11/1/2/2. DO NOT DISTROY PELICIATIONS VIRGATION See also No. 1/4/2 302 DO NOT DISTROY Auf. B. Newfaggen Clipping PRESERVE FOR SELECT tut C.d.dofaparment to mno. COMMITTEE ON ASSINATIO House 4-3-68 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary: The document contains a detailed law enforcement investigation into James Earl Ray’s activities, focusing on his alleged connections to Jack Gannon, Carol Pepper, Albert Pepper, and other individuals linked through criminal associations, family ties, and parole records. It outlines Ray’s history of arrests, including burglary and robbery charges in Missouri and Illinois, as well as his fugitive status following the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The text details Gannon’s residence in St. Louis, his financial benefits (Social Security and VA payments), and his alleged role in teaching criminal techniques to associates. It also references Carol Pepper’s tavern operations, her marital ties to John Ray (Ray’s brother), and the familial connections between Ray’s family members and Gannon’s network. The investigation includes surveillance efforts by the FBI, interviews with suspects, and checks on property ownership and legal records. While the document links Ray to criminal activities and associates, it explicitly notes that his involvement in MLK’s assassination remains unproven and subject to historical debate.  

Key People: James Earl Ray, Jack Gannon ("GAWRON"), Carol Pepper, Albert Pepper, John Ray (Ray’s brother), Lucille Ryan, Jerry Raynes (Ray’s father), Walter E. Nolan, James David Daily, Delano Elmer Walker, Benny K. Pinkston, Orville Robbins, Ernest Gault, Detective Edward Schaft, Ronald Rockenkamp, LEO J. Spino, Junior Ray Conway, Frank A. Miller Jr., Aubrey Smith, Lloyd Birdsong, Franklin Ray, Jerriy Ray, Jerrry Ray, and others.  

Key Locations: St. Louis, Missouri; Ewing, Missouri; Hannibal, Missouri; Portageville, Missouri; Wardell, Missouri; 1807 South 11th Street (Gannon’s residence); Mac Arthur Hotel (St. Louis); 1886 Wyoming Street; 1912 Hickory Street; Grapevine Tavern; Lambert Field; New Market Hardware; Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company; Liberty Loan Company; Union Electric Company; Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.  

Key Events: Investigation into James Earl Ray’s alleged connections to the MLK assassination, including surveillance of his family members, interviews with associates like Carol Pepper and John Ray, review of military records, FBI file checks (Field Office File #SL 44-775), examination of liquor licenses and legal violations, tracking of a Browning .243 caliber rifle, and resolution of prior threats against MLK by Delano Elmer Walker and Benny K. Pinkston.  

Key Organizations: Seafarers International and Inland Boatmen's Union, National Maritime Union, Veterans Administration Records Processing Center, U.S. Probation Office, Commercial Bakeries, Bakers Union, Kroger Bakery Company, Gaslight Bar, Kroeger Grocery Holdup, Post Office Money Order Arrest, American Television School, Army Service Record, Overseas Assignments, International Shee Company, Postal Inspector's Records, Roy Willis Auto Purchases, Park Hotel (Montgomery County, Missouri), Downs Men's Shop, Internal Revenue Service (Alcohol, Tobacco and Tax Unit), General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), Union Electric Company, Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company, Liberty Loan Company, New Market Hardware.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_171-01-part_1_of_9.pdf

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