</s>KC 44-760 2 A letter in his file dated August 23, 1967, indicated that KENNETH LEE WADE was received at the California State Peni- tentiary at Chino, California, under #1070, on August 22, 1967. JAMES WADE, # A. WADE # 01013, was received June 7, 1961, from Vernon County, Missouri, on checks conviction June 7. 1961, discharged on February 12, 1964. He is described as a was white male, born white male. Brown haired at Arcade, Kansas; 6 feet, 2 inches, 180 pounds, brown haired, at blue eyes, # 4816333, inches, 160 pounds, and ALENE hazel, blue eyes. # 48168333. Wichita, Kansas, and he listed sisters LEONA THOMSONSON, General Delivery, Augusta, Kansas and NEALENE KEMP, General Delivery, Wichita. Kansas, as a aunt Mrs. LEE CAIN, General Delivery, pendence, and aunt Mrs ., Lee CAIN. General Delivery - Inde- his name. WADE is described by itself as illiterate and can write only in the kitchen as MSP, and has had one offense report for on August 8, 1963, he was assigned to Food Service in the Kitchen & MSP. and he had one offensive report for fighting in the kitchen; August 13, 1963. 1963, with one month loss of privileges, but the offense report with the details loss of privileges; but the offensive report with one details indicate that WADE WAS incarcerated at the State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma, under 7755 at a 7-year sentence for larceny of automobile. DENNIS WADE FONTENNY, # 04/05/1961, FRI # 6606898, was received at the MSP March 16, 1962, from Jackson County, Missouri, at the MSSP March 2, 1962. from Burgundy County, and he was discharged May 16, 1963; he was described as an white male born white male , born Luy pounds, at New Orleans, Louisiana; is described illiterate, and his hair, brown noses, and he lists no brothers and his sisters, stated since father died in 1946 and that he has not seen his mother since 1946. He had no Kansas City, Missouri. Police Department Nos. EX FONTENTINONNOH has Kansas City. Missouri, Police Department NOS. EX #49492 and 96630 and New Orleans Police Department # 74527. 86 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document comprises multiple entries from FBI investigative records and legal documentation related to James Earl Ray, a man later implicated in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The first entry details a 1955 case involving Ray’s forgery of U.S. Postal Money Orders, including stolen items used for purchases and his prior criminal history (e.g., robbery, burglary). A second section outlines Ray’s incarceration from 1960 to 1967 at Missouri State Penitentiary, including parole hearings, escape attempts, and psychiatric evaluations noting obsessive-compulsive behavior and health fears. Additional entries reference FBI agents Richard T. Winterman, Donald A. Flynn, and Ray Homesley investigating Ray’s aliases, union connections (e.g., Bakery and Confectionery Workers Union Local 218), and arrest records for Dennis Fontennot in Kansas City, Missouri. The documents also mention Dorothy Shawf of the U.S. Marshall’s Office and other individuals with incarceration histories.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (suspect in MLK assassination; convicted of forgery in 1955, incarcerated in Missouri from 1960–1967)  
- **Richard T. Winterman** (FBI special agent involved in alias and union investigations)  
- **Donald A. Flynn** (FBI special agent noting no union ties to Ray)  
- **Ray Homesley** (FBI special agent referencing Dennis Fontennot’s arrest records)  
- **Dennis Fontennot** (individual with Kansas City, Missouri, incarceration records)  
- **Dorothy Shawf** (U.S. Marshall’s Office employee in Kansas City, Missouri)  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** (Ray’s residence and criminal activity)  
- **Kansas City, Missouri** (union records, arrests, and law enforcement involvement)  
- **Raytown, Missouri** (location of Dennis Fontennot’s arrest records)  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Ray’s incarceration from 1960–1967)  

Key Events  
- **1955 Forgery Case:** Ray forged U.S. Postal Money Orders, stole goods, and was arrested in Missouri with co-conspirators.  
- **1960–1967 Incarceration:** Ray served a 20-year sentence for armed robbery, faced multiple parole hearings, and attempted escape in 1966.  
- **Psychiatric Evaluation (1966):** Ray’s mental health was assessed due to obsessive-compulsive behavior, somatic complaints, and fears of illness.  
- **FBI Investigations:** Agents reviewed Ray’s aliases, union affiliations, and criminal history; no direct ties to labor unions were found for Ray.  
- **Arrest Records:** Dennis Fontennot had incarceration records in Kansas City, Missouri, including dates of release and re-arrests.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (conducted investigations into Ray’s criminal history, aliases, and union connections)  
- **U.S. Marshall’s Office** (involved in legal proceedings and record-keeping for Dorothy Shawf)  
- **Bakery and Confectionery Workers Union Local 218, AFL-CIO** (mentioned in FBI records as a potential connection to Ray)  
- **Miscellaneous Hotel Employees Union Local 655, CIO** (referenced in union-related investigations)  
- **Kansas City Police Department** (involved in arrests and record-keeping for Dennis Fontennot)

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_171-02-part_03_of_10.pdf

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