</s>SI 44-561 Place of Birth : Ewing, Missouri Height 5'52" Height Weight 365 pounds Hair Hair Brown Eyes Complexion Blue Medium Composition Medium FIBT 33 271 C A review of the records of the Quincy Police Department also showed a record for JUNNY RAY, aka JOHN LARRY RAY and JOHN L. RAYNS and JACK RAYS, aka JOHNNY RAY'S. The file filed JOHNY RRAY'S date of birth to be home address 214 Spring Street, hair brown. The record showed he was 5'10" and weighed 160 pounds. The fille contained the following arrests: DATE CHARGE DISPOSITION 4-7-53 Larcent of an Illinois State Automobile Penitentiary, 5 - 10 2-18-60 Fictitious license $10.00 and costs years -47 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities, focusing on his family members, residences, and potential connections to criminal behavior. Ruby Carpenter, Ray’s ex-wife, claimed her nephew (James Earl Ray) may have been in St. Louis around 1959–1960 and possibly died there before incarceration. She asserted he did not commit the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The FBI surveilled Ray’s family members, including Melba Marie Ryan (his sister), who resided at the Virginia Hotel in Quincy, Illinois. Records mention Ray’s alleged employment as a baker in St. Louis, his incarceration at Leonard State Penitentiary, and his brother John Larry Ray’s imprisonment. Surveillance efforts included monitoring the Virginia Hotel and tracking Ray’s aliases, such as Earl Everett Ray, James Ryan, and others. The FBI compiled criminal records for Ray, including arrests in Quincy, Illinois, for assault and battery between 1943–1955. Walter Terry Riffe, a contact of Ray, reported his alleged involvement in stolen goods and fencing. Melba Marie Ryan’s mental health issues were noted, with connections to the MLK assassination investigation.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation; aliases: Earl Everett Ray, James Ryan, James Mc Carly, James Patrick Clancy, Joe Roe, White)  
- Ruby Carpenter (Ray’s ex-wife; provided statements about his whereabouts and activities)  
- Melba Marie Ryan (Ray’s sister; resided at Virginia Hotel in Quincy, Illinois; noted for mental health issues)  
- John Larry Ray (Ray’s brother; incarcerated)  
- James Gerald Ray (Ray’s father; resided in Center, Massachusetts under name Jerry Rayn)  
- William E. Maher (Ray’s uncle; stated Ray was involved in an armed robbery in 1959)  
- Walter Terry Rife (associate of Ray; operated restaurant at Virginia Hotel)  
- Mary Jan Rife (wife of Walter Terry Rife; employed at Virginia Hotel)  
- Frank Fuller (relative of Ray; husband of Mabel Ray Fuller)  

Key Locations  
- Quincy, Illinois (Virginia Hotel; residences of Melba Marie Ryan and Ruby Carpenter; Walter Rife’s restaurant operations)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (Ray’s alleged residence, bakeries, Leonard State Penitentiary)  
- Center, Massachusetts (James Gerald Ray’s residence)  
- Alton, Illinois (William E. Maher’s residence; Children’s Home where Susan J. Ryan resided)  
- Jacksonville State Hospital, Jacksonville, Illinois (Melba Marie Ryan’s alleged residence)  
- North Carolina State Hospital (mentioned in context of Melba Marie Ryan’s mental health case)  

Key Events  
- FBI surveillance of the Virginia Hotel in Quincy to monitor Ray’s family members and activities.  
- Interviews with Ruby Carpenter and Melba Marie Ryan regarding Ray’s whereabouts and potential criminal history.  
- Compilation of EARL EVERETT RAY’s criminal record, including assaults, battery, and acid-throwing incidents in Quincy, Illinois.  
- Statements from William E. Maher about Ray’s alleged armed robbery in 1959.  
- Walter Terry Riffe’s report on Ray’s alleged involvement in stolen goods and fencing.  
- Melba Marie Ryan’s noted mental health issues linked to the MLK assassination investigation.  
- Records of Ray’s incarceration at Leonard State Penitentiary and his brother John Larry Ray’s imprisonment.  
- Claims by Ruby Carpenter that her nephew, James Earl Ray, may have died in St. Louis before being incarcerated.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_010-02-part_07_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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