</s>(REV. 413-60) D. NOT DESTROY. H. S. Deyartment of Justice HISTORICAL VALUE. NATIONAL ARCHI VSS VOL.3.3 (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) 10024565 FEDERAL BUREAU XDO NOT DESTRY HISTOCRICAL VALUIE of NATIONALARCHIVES INVESTIGATION Vorm Number: Bureau File Number 441-388/6/ DO NOT ESTROY - SER. 1 PRESERVE FOR SELECT COMMITTEE .IN ASSASSINATIONS See also No. DO NOT DESTROY . APR! PENDING LITTIGATION 104/115 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED ALL INFORMATION CENTRARY. FOR HISTORIGAL HISTOER IS UNCLASSIFIED. DECLASIFICATION BATE/NOT SBE/SBE/Cef/Ce/de C - - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains investigative records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and St. Louis Division regarding James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It details FBI efforts to track Ray’s movements, associations, and potential involvement in criminal activities, including burglary and robbery. The investigation includes interviews with individuals connected to Ray, such as JOHN RAY (his brother), CAROL PEPPER (his sister-in-law), and others. References are made to Carol Pepper’s liquor license violations in Louisiana, her relationship with Ray, and alleged awareness of his whereabouts. Previous threats against King by DELANO ELMER WALKER and BENNY K. PINKSTON are noted as resolved. The document also includes administrative notes on look-alike investigations, family coverage, checks on individuals such as JERRY RAYNES, WALTER E. NOLAN, and others, as well as inquiries into a 243-caliber rifle linked to Ray. It references his employment history, military service, and alleged associations with criminal networks.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; investigated for movements, associations, and potential involvement in criminal activities.  
- **John Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; interviewed regarding Ray’s whereabouts.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister-in-law to John Ray; involved in liquor license violations in Louisiana; allegedly aware of Ray’s presence in St. Louis.  
- **Delano Elmer Walker** and **Benny K. Pinkston**: Individuals who previously threatened MLK; their threats were resolved.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: Ex-convict and former prison associate of Ray.  
- **Jerry Raynes**: Father of James Earl Ray; mentioned in family coverage investigations.  
- **John Eugene Gawron** (also known as Jack Eugene GAWRON): Convicted criminal with ties to Ray, including alleged involvement in burglaries and interactions with law enforcement.  
- **Albert and Carol Pepper**: Siblings of James Earl Ray; mentioned as operating a tavern and having contact with GAWRON.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Central to the investigation; locations include neighborhoods like Bellevue Avenue, 2515 Lafayette, and areas near the Grape Vine Tavern.  
- **Louisiana**: Mentioned in relation to Carol Pepper’s liquor license violations and her connection to Ray.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Linked to the procurement of a 243-caliber rifle (Browning model #4474425) from Aeromarine Supply Co.  
- **Center, Missouri**: Home of Jerry Raynes, linked to Carol Pepper’s telephone number.  
- **Leavenworth, Kansas**: Site of U.S. Penitentiary where GAWRON was incarcerated in the 1920s.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Location of a Soldier’s Home and tavern where GAWRON met LUCILLE RYAN.  

Key Events  
- **Interviews with John Ray and Carol Pepper**: Conducted by FBI agents to gather information on Ray’s movements and associations.  
- **Liquor License Violations**: Carol Pepper’s business, Gandmore, in Louisiana, was found to be in violation of state liquor control requirements due to her husband’s felony conviction.  
- **Previous Threats Against MLK**: Delano Elmer Walker and Benny K. Pinkston were identified as individuals who had previously threatened King; these threats were resolved.  
- **Search for Weapons and Associates**: Investigations into Ray’s alleged possession of a rifle, his employment history, and connections to criminal networks.  
- **FBI Efforts to Locate Ray**: Including verification of familial connections through telephone records, post office data, and social security investigations.  
- **GAWRON’s Statements**: Descriptions of Ray’s movements, including claims that he was last seen in St. Louis in May 1968, possibly traveling to Los Angeles or Tennessee.  
- **Alleged Connections to the Grapevine Tavern**: Described as a venue where Ray and others were present, with GAWRON noting its operation by Carol Pepper.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the primary investigation, including interviews, checks on individuals, and tracking of Ray’s movements.  
- **St. Louis Division**: Collaborated with FBI on local investigations, including neighborhood sources and liquor license reviews.  
- **State Liquor Control Office**: Involved in reviewing Carol Pepper’s liquor license violations.  
- **Internal Revenue Service (IRS)**: Provided information on "front" and "true owner" details related to liquor licenses.  
- **U.S. Marine Corps**: GAWRON’s military service during World War I.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_009-01-part_1_of_9.pdf

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