</s>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 10-3-33 (123) JV WASHINGINION 24, D. C. Director. The following FIR record, NUMBER 551 723 D is furnished FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. CONTAILATOR OF NAME AND NUMBER ARRESISTED OR CHARGE DISPOSITION FINGERPRINTS RECEIVED PAGEFRIENDS PD St Louis No Albert Benny 8-30-58 inv sus steal Pepper #78932-3 PD StLouis No Albert Bennie 8-25-60 susp steal & no Pepper#78932 -3 St veh 1lc PD St Louisville No Albert Benny 1-10-61 Susp Steal Pepper (#8932-2 St Ivy Pat Albert Benny 11-8-61 Inv of Burg & L Rel 11-9-61 Kirkwood Mo Pepper f#10950 F/C-10670 A PD St. Louis Mo Albert Bennnie 10-20-63 numerous Pepper "#93598 traffic offenses rei burg 263 Notations indicated by . ARE NOT BASED ON FINGERFRINTS IN FH files. The motions are based on data furniturey furnished this Bureau conceming individuals of the same or similar names or aliases and ARE LISTED ONLY AS INVESTIGATIVE LEADS. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and St. Louis Police Department investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements, family connections, and potential ties to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination between April and May 1968. Investigations focused on tracking Ray’s activities post-escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary (1967), including hotel registrations at the MacArthur Hotel in St. Louis, interviews with his brother John Ray at the Grapevine Bar, and surveillance of a white over light green Desoto automobile linked to Jerry Ray. Financial records from General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) and liquor license applications for Carol Pepper’s tavern were also examined. The FBI sought information on Ray’s financial transactions, correspondence, and potential connections to violent acts, with Ray expressing controversial views about King’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (subject of investigation; accused in MLK Jr.’s assassination)  
- **John Ray** (brother of James Earl Ray; interviewed at Grapevine Bar, denied knowledge of his brother’s activities)  
- **Jerry Ray** (brother of James Earl Ray; linked to the Desoto automobile and interactions with Carol Pepper)  
- **Carol Pepper** (sister of James Earl Ray; owner of Grapevine Tavern; liquor license applications reviewed)  
- **SA Patrick W. Bradley, SA Earl E. Brown, SA Harold R. Dobson, SA Spurgeon J. Peterson** (FBI agents involved in the investigation)  
- **John De Leonardo** (Credit Manager, GMAC; handled financial records for beer cooler purchase)  

Key Locations  
- **MacArthur Hotel**, St. Louis, Missouri: Site of guest registration checks for James Earl Ray’s visits in February 1968.  
- **Grapevine Bar**, 1982 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri: Location where John Ray was interviewed and claimed to operate the bar with Carol Pepper.  
- **2025 Bellevue, Missouri**: Address associated with Carol Pepper’s residence.  
- **1982 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri**: Business location of Carol Pepper’s tavern.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Mentioned as a former employment location for James Earl Ray and a planned return address.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and connections to MLK Jr.’s assassination, including hotel registration checks and interviews with his brother John Ray.  
- Surveillance of a Desoto automobile (license KX-5820) linked to Jerry Ray near the Grapevine Tavern (April 30–May 1, 1968).  
- Interviews with John Ray at the Grapevine Bar, where he denied knowledge of his brother’s activities post-escape from prison.  
- Examination of liquor license applications for Carol Pepper’s tavern, including retail liquor dealer license number 643 issued by the State Liquor Control Office.  
- Review of financial records from GMAC regarding a beer cooler purchase and mortgage involving Carol Pepper and John Ray.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted multiple investigations, including interviews with John Ray and checks on hotel records.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Collaborated with the FBI on tracking James Earl Ray’s activities.  
- **State Liquor Control Office, Missouri**: Issued liquor licenses for Carol Pepper’s tavern.  
- **General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC)**: Provided financial records related to beer cooler purchases and mortgages.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_009-01-part_7_of_9.pdf

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