</s>FD-302 (Rev. 1-25-60) DERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIO 1 Date: May 24, 1968 JAMES LOAMA OWENS, Rural Route 3, Sunrise Lake, DeSoto, Missouri (Jefferson County) telephone Justice 6-2044, was contacted by telephone and inquiry was made of him as to what publications were habitually read by JAMES BARL RAY. ING and his said that RAY was indiscriminate in his read- OWENS said that Ray was not indestructible in his reading- ing his hands. OWENS said he did not believe he could get his hands to the public. OWS was not not believe his could identify any specific publication which RAY read. OWENS said however, THAT RAY READ ALL the newspapers he could lay his hands. THAT RAT read all the two major daily newspaper publications in St. Louis. Inquiry was made by OWENS as of whether, in view of RAY's interest in automobiles and guns, as previously indi- cated by OWEN'S, RAY AUTOMOTIONS not read magazines pertaining to automobiles and automobiles. OWNS said that he could not recall that to automobiles, and guns. OWEN's said said he could no recall that but he did now recall guns. OWs said all the various things that RAY read were included various sporting magazines. OWENS wouldhave been included. He believed all the previous things that wouldhave be included. The type of magazines magazines read by RAY would have included the type represented by Field and Stream and Argosy. OWENS Said he could be more specific in describe- ing or identifying publications read by Ray. 29. 5/16/68 of St. Louis, Missouri On File # SL 44-775 SA ALBERT J. RUSHING/leh 5/22/68 by Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is licensed to Your agency; It is not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations from May 1968 focusing on individuals associated with James Earl Ray, a suspect in Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Key elements include financial records of James Loma Owens and James Earl Ray, interviews with witnesses such as Mrs. Wallace and James D. Wallace (an inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary), and references to a letter mentioning "rat that King's death on her." FBI agents examined bank accounts at Jefferson-Gravois Bank and Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company but found no matches for Owens or Ray. Photographs of Ray and Owens were reviewed by witnesses and bank employees, though none could identify them from prior encounters. Owens' criminal history, including parole status and arrests, is documented. Separate FD-302 forms reference James Carl O'Connor's bank account (March–July 1959), inquiries into Vincent P. Webbe’s death, and interactions with John Paul Velanti, an inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary, who discussed potential links to a 1967 Alton, Illinois bank robbery. Investigations also include Joseph M. Cormick, a probationer with a history of theft and mental health issues, his associates Jack and Jimmy (linked to a burglary at Art's Tavern), and GAWRON (possibly a misspelling of Gawron) with financial ties to a bank account and frequent pay phone use near a Catholic church. Neighborhood inquiries in St. Louis sought RAY’s whereabouts without success.  

Key People  
- **James Loma Owens** (also known as James Laoma Owens): Investigated for associations with Ray, criminal history including parole status and arrests.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect linked to MLK's assassination; associated with Jack Garwon, Jimmy H. Carpenter, and GAWRON.  
- **Mrs. Wallace** (wife of James D. Wallace): Reported interactions involving her husband’s letter referencing King’s death.  
- **James D. Wallace**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; his wife provided information about a letter.  
- **Albert J. Rushing** and **Howard C. Kennedy**: FBI agents involved in investigations.  
- **A.G. Arb**: Vice President of Jefferson-Gravois Bank.  
- **James Carl O'Connor**: Bank account holder at Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company (March–July 1959).  
- **Vincent P. Webbe**: Deceased; family members Eva Webber and Ann Webde referenced in inquiries.  
- **Andrew Wilson De Core**: Former inmate at St. Louis City Hospital; interacted with nurse Mary Louise SAWER post-release.  
- **John Paul Velanti**: MSP inmate interviewed about Ray, Jimmy Raye, and potential links to crimes.  
- **Jimmy Raye**: Alleged associate of James Earl Ray.  
- **Jack Garwon**: Rooming house operator in St. Louis; allegedly connected to Ray’s activities.  
- **Joseph M. Cormick**: Probationer with theft convictions, mental health issues (syphilis-related brain syndrome), and ties to Jack and GAWRON.  
- **Thomas Mangogna**: Former probation officer at St. Louis Municipal Courts Building.  

Key Locations  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank**, St. Louis, Missouri: Investigated for Owens’ and Ray’s accounts; employees reviewed photographs of suspects.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**, Jefferson City, Missouri: Site of incarceration for Owens, Ray, Velanti, De Core, and others; altercation occurred following JFK’s assassination in 1963.  
- **South Jefferson Avenue**, St. Louis, Missouri: Address associated with Ray’s movements.  
- **1031 Lynch**, St. Louis, Missouri: Location referenced in bank records.  
- **Hill Brothers Shoe Store**, St. Louis, Missouri: Mentioned in witness accounts.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company**, St. Louis, Missouri: O'Connor’s bank account; GAWRON’s financial ties.  
- **Art's Tavern** (South 11th and Soulard), St. Louis, Missouri: Site of a burglary linked to Jack and GAWRON.  
- **Catholic Church at 12th and Lafayette Streets**, St. Louis, Missouri: Pay phone location frequently used by GAWRON.  
- **Malcolm Bliss Hospital**, St. Louis, Missouri: Where Cormick received treatment for a nervous breakdown in 1955.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into James Loma Owens and James Earl Ray’s financial activities and associations (May 1968).  
- Interview with Mrs. Wallace regarding her husband’s letter referencing "rat that King's death on her."  
- Examination of bank records for accounts under Owens’ and Ray’s names at Jefferson-Gravois Bank and Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company; no matches found.  
- Review of photographs of Ray and Owens by witnesses and bank employees, with no identifications.  
- Documentation of Owens’ criminal history, including parole status and prior arrests.  
- Opening and closing of James Carl O'Connor’s bank account (March–July 1959) with multiple deposits/withdrawals.  
- Investigation into Vincent P. Webbe’s death (June 28, 1967) and family connections.  
- Andrew Wilson De Core’s hospital release and prison history; interactions with nurse Mary Louise SAWER.  
- John Paul Velanti’s interviews regarding MSP inmates, gambling debts, and potential links to a 1967 Alton, Illinois bank robbery.  
- Altercation at Missouri State Penitentiary following President Kennedy’s assassination (1963).  
- Robbery at the Bank of Alton, Illinois (July 13, 1967), referenced in Ray’s associations.  
- Cormick’s probation file detailing prior arrests, mental health treatment, and employment history.  
- Neighborhood inquiries in St. Louis to locate RAY; residents reported no sightings.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray, Owens, O'Connor, Webbe, Velanti, Cormick, and others.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Institution where Owens, Ray, Velanti, De Core, and others were incarcerated; site of altercations and inmate interactions.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank**: Investigated for financial records related to Owens and Ray.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company**: Linked to O'Connor’s account and GAWRON’s financial activities.  
- **St. Louis Municipal Courts Building**: Location of Thomas Mangogna’s employment history.  
- **Bee Line Trucking Company**: Employed Cormick as a mechanic’s helper.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_172-05-part_3_of_6.pdf

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