</s>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 10-7-33 (12:2) JV FREDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGAT WASHINGTON D.C. Director. The following FILL record, NUMBER 591.723 D is furnished FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. CONTRIBUTOR OF HANE AND NUMBER ARREFTED OR CHARGE DISPOSITION FINGERSPIRES RECEIVED PO St Louis Mo Albert Benny 8-30-58 inv sus steal Pepper #79399-3 8-25-60 susp steal & no PD St Louis No Albert Bennie Pepper#79392-3 St veh lic ID St Louis NO Albert Benny 1-10-61 Susp Steal Pepper (#79392 -3 St Kny Pat Albert Benny 11-8-61 Inv of Duff & L Rel 11-9-61 Kiriawood Mo Pepper: #75370 #0-10670 A PD St. Louis Mo. Albert Bennnie 10-20-63 numerous rel Pepper "#93596 traffic offenses burgy Nutations indicated by . ARE NOT BASED ON FINGERPRINTS IN PIF files. The motions are based on date: formively furnished this Bureau concerning individuals of the saund or similar names or aliases and ARE LISTED ONLY AS INVESTICATIVE LEADS. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray (JER) and his brother John Larry Ray (JLR), focusing on JER’s movements, connections to St. Louis, Missouri, and potential ties to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key records include hotel registration entries under "John Ray" or "Jerry Ray" at the MacArthur Hotel in St. Louis, linked to Charles Breitweiser, a hotel clerk. These registrations span February 6–17, 1968, and include addresses like 1886 Wyoming Street and 1912 Hickory Street. Hotel staff confirmed no recognition of individuals matching JER’s description or photographic records.  

On April 23, 1968, FBI agents located JLR at the Grapevine Tavern (1982 Arsenal Street) in St. Louis, where he admitted to being JER’s brother and stated he last saw him in 1967 during a prison visit. JLR denied knowledge of JER’s escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967 and claimed JER had been incarcerated for larceny with a release date in February 1960. He also mentioned his sister Carol Ann Pepper owned the tavern and that he had invested $1,800 in its operation.  

Further interviews on April 26–29, 1968, confirmed JLR’s employment history as a bartender at locations including the Arena Bowl and Greyhound Bus Depot in St. Louis and Chicago. He stated JER had returned to Chicago after visiting him in St. Louis but provided no details about his brother’s whereabouts post-escape. JLR also referenced potential family connections to MLK’s assassination, suggesting JER might have been involved in violent acts due to "craziness" or financial motives, though he denied direct knowledge.  

Additional records from April–May 1968 detail FBI surveillance of a white over light green 1960 Desoto automobile (license KX-5820) linked to Jerry Ray, observed near the Grapevine Tavern at 1982 Arsenal Street. Financial details for Carol Pepper, sister of JER, include a liquor license (number 623) for the tavern, a $2,000 surety bond, and a chattel mortgage for a cooler purchased from Mike Burk/Frigid Sales. Communications between FBI agents and informants note Jerry Ray’s use of aliases (e.g., RYAN), interactions with family members, and his planned return to Chicago.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Subject of investigation; brother of John Larry Ray; alleged connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **John Larry Ray (JLR)**: Sought by authorities; admitted to being JER’s brother; provided details about JER’s incarceration and escape.  
- **Carol Ann Pepper**: Sister of JLR; owner of the Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis.  
- **George Svojoda, Jr.**: Neighbors and business owners in St. Louis area; reported no sightings of JER or his family.  
- **June Turnbough and Mrs. Sophie Martine**: Neighbors who recalled JER’s family residing at 1912 Hickory Street in the early 1960s.  

Key Locations  
- **MacArthur Hotel (St. Louis, Missouri)**: Hotel where JER’s name appeared in registration records.  
- **Grapevine Tavern (1982 Arsenal Street, St. Louis)**: Location where JLR was interviewed and admitted to being JER’s brother.  
- **1886 Wyoming Street and 1912 Hickory Street (St. Louis)**: Addresses linked to JER’s family connections.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: State Liquor Control Office location for license records.  

Key Events  
- **April 19–23, 1968**: FBI investigations into JER’s movements via hotel records and interviews with JLR.  
- **April 23, 1968**: JLR’s arrest at the Grapevine Tavern; admission to being JER’s brother and lack of knowledge about his escape.  
- **April 30–May 1, 1968**: FBI agents tracked the Desoto automobile (license KX-5820) linked to Jerry Ray near the Grapevine Tavern.  
- **April 26–28, 1968**: Financial records from GMAC regarding a chattel mortgage for a cooler purchased by Carol Pepper.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance, tracked movements, and coordinated with local agencies.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Institution where JER was incarcerated for larceny.  
- **State Liquor Control Office (Missouri)**: Managed liquor license records for the Grapevine Tavern.  
- **General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC)**: Provided financial records on Carol Pepper’s chattel mortgage.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_171-01-part_7_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search