</s>1 SL 44-775 HRD:paw Follow Prisoner: DONALD DEAN RIGGER AT MOBERLY, MISSOURI: The following investigation was conducted by SA WILLIAM R. DUNCAN DEAN RIIGGER, Number 03959, Missouri Immediate DONALD DEA RIGER, Number 039959, Missouri Training School for Men, Morberly, Missouri, advised that he had been convicted in December of 1951, and had been an immate at the December of 1961, and has been an Missouri, from December 1951, through August of 1967, While there, he was in the kitchen at the Penitentiary with RAY. RIGGER stated that prior to his apprehension he with RAV. RIGGER stated that no one was really friendly with RAT. had jumped bond and had he been in Salpillo Coahuila, Mexico. Following his apprehension, he received mail from Mexico. RAY was aware of this and asked questions of him concerning the economy in Mexico. He indicated particular interest in understood by inmates that they could get into the Mexican Army they could effectively lose their identities. RIGGERT stated that in his estimation the person who was most closely associated with RAY was inmate DONALD JOHNSON, who, to the best of his knowledge, is currently employed in the bread room at the Missouri State Prison in Jefferson City, Missouri. RIGGRER was unable to offer any suggestions as to the present whereabouts of subject, 163 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s associations in Missouri during 1967–1969, focusing on his alleged connections to J.D. Daily, an escaped prisoner from the Missouri State Penitentiary. Key findings include:  
- Interviews with inmates and informants revealed Ray’s interactions with Donald Dean Rigger, James Russell, and Robert Powell in Missouri prisons, including escape attempts and prison behavior. John Paul Velanti, a St. Louis radio broadcaster, was interviewed by FBI agents regarding Ray’s appearance and prison history.  
- J.D. Daily was investigated for potential ties to Ray, including alleged financial assistance to an escaped prisoner named CREWS in 1967. Surveillance of Daily’s residences and business locations in Portageville, Missouri, noted his restaurant operations (LaFont’s Cafe) and relocation from St. Louis to Portageville.  
- Homer Townsley, a St. Louis bar owner, claimed Ray frequented his tavern in 1958–1959 and may have had contact with Daily after Ray’s escape in April 1967. Daily was described as a troublemaker in Pemiscot County, Missouri, with business interests in St. Louis and Illinois.  
- A 1969 investigation included statements from Leo Spino, who identified James Daily through card games at the Halfway Cafe in St. Louis. Spino noted Daily’s ownership of a Chrysler (license plate sold in 1964) and later a Buick with Missouri plates. Conway was shot at Dailyer’s Cafe, with references to his residence in Salem, Missouri, and alleged weapon possession.  
- No direct links between Daily or Ray and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. were confirmed, though investigations focused on their movements, financial activities, and potential harboring.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central suspect in MLK assassination; incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary prior to escape in April 1967.  
- **J.D. Daily**: Investigated for alleged ties to Ray; operated a restaurant in Portageville, Missouri, and had business interests in St. Louis and Illinois.  
- **Donald Dean Rigger**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who reported interactions with Ray and Donald Johnson.  
- **James Russell**: Former prisoner in Jefferson City who described Ray’s escape attempts and association with Robert Powell.  
- **Robert Powell**: Inmate linked to Ray; worked in prison kitchens.  
- **John Paul Velanti**: St. Louis radio broadcaster interviewed by FBI regarding Ray’s appearance and prison behavior.  
- **Homer Townsley**: Bar owner in St. Louis who provided information about Ray’s past activities and potential connections to Daily.  
- **Leo Spino**: Shoe repair shop owner in St. Louis who identified James Daily through card games at the Halfway Cafe.  
- **Conway**: Shot at Dailyer’s Cafe; resided in Salem, Missouri, and allegedly carried weapons.  
- **DENTON**: Linked to Conway and weapon possession; associated with OPEL.  
- **OPEL**: Girlfriend of DENTON; married to SHERRILLS, whose brother is J.D. SHERRILS.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration prior to escape in April 1967.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home to FBI offices, Velanti’s residence, Townsley’s tavern, and Spino’s shoe repair shop.  
- **Portageville, Missouri**: Daily’s restaurant (LaFont’s Cafe) and alleged hiding place for Ray.  
- **Wardell, Missouri**: Area where Daily was believed to have operated a cotton gin and restaurant.  
- **Pemiscot County, Missouri**: Mentioned as a region where Daily’s family and land ownership were investigated.  
- **Salem, Missouri**: Conway’s residence; location of shooting at Dailyer’s Cafe.  
- **Jefferson Avenue (St. Louis)**: Spino’s shoe repair shop location.  

Key Events  
- **April 1967**: Ray escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary; investigations focused on his potential connections to J.D. Daily.  
- **April 21–26, 1968**: FBI conducted interviews in Missouri to investigate Ray’s associations with Daily, including inquiries into land ownership and business activities.  
- **1967**: Daily allegedly provided financial assistance to CREWS, an escaped prisoner.  
- **1969**: Spino identified Daily through card games at the Halfway Cafe; references to Daily’s car sales and restaurant operations.  
- **Shooting at Dailyer’s Cafe**: Conway was shot; details about his residence in Salem, Missouri, and weapon possession were noted.  
- **Surveillance of Daily’s residences and business locations**: FBI monitored LaFont’s Cafe in Portageville and other properties linked to Daily.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted primary investigations into Ray and Daily’s associations, including interviews and surveillance.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Involved in tracking escaped prisoners and monitoring Daily’s activities.  
- **Missouri State Highway Patrol**: Participated in initial inquiries related to Ray’s escape and movements.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration prior to escape.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_171-01-part_5_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search