</s>ME 44-1987 3/31/68 JIMMY DELTON GARNER, operator of a rooming house located at 113 14th Street, N.E ., Atlanta, Georgia, admits being drunk during a large portion of the time around March 24 - 31, 1968, but states that on March 31, 1968, 1968, that states that at March 31. 1968, GARNER does not recall seeing GALT after March 31, 1966. GARMER advised that when ERIC S. GALT paid his rent for the second week commencing March 31. 1966, he received GALT this name March 31 ., 1966, and GALT his name made this envelope available. GALT hand- printed his signature on the envelope. his name was the fact that GALT intended to then transfer this name to his official records when he returned to his own room. The FBI Laboratory concluded that the hand- printed name of ERIC 5. Galt that appeared printed name to Eric S. GAIT that appeared GARNET, manager of the rooming house located at 113 14TH Street, NE. E. Atlanta, was pre- at the person and previously submitted- printing the person previously submitted. in this matter and attributed to ERIC 3. GALT. As a result of a lawful search of Room 2 of this rooming home conducted on April 15, 1968, numerous issues possible evidence Valueumerics included in Mexico. The FBI Identification Division Division Latent Finger- print Section, reported that a latent finger- prints were developed on this map and that these latent were were identified with fingerprints of JAMES EARL RAY, FBI #405 942 G. 32 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary:  
The document details James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., his prison records from 1962–1964, family connections, and interactions with radical groups. It includes inmate accounts describing Ray as a loner, escape enthusiast, and professional thief with ties to criminal networks. Family members provided conflicting information about his whereabouts post-escape, while inmates noted his drug use, theft habits, and potential links to bounties for MLK’s assassination. The text contains fragmented details about Ray’s associates, including Eric Galt, George Jackson, John Sinclair, and Huey Newton, though direct connections remain unclear. Inmate statements reference Ray’s escape plans, financial activities, and speculative ties to organized crime or bounty hunters. Discrepancies in the narrative include inconsistent names, repeated "E.O." codes, and unresolved claims about his involvement in MLK’s assassination.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner, escape enthusiast, and alleged professional thief with ties to radical groups.  
- **Eric Galt**: Linked to Ray via rifle and ammunition provision; associated with Black Panther Party.  
- **George Jackson**: Black Panther leader allegedly connected to Ray.  
- **John Sinclair**: Detroit activist with potential ties to Ray.  
- **Huey Newton**: Founder of the Black Panther Party, mentioned in Ray’s associations.  
- **Ruby Carpenter**: Ray’s mother; divorced from his father in 1964.  
- **Mary Maher**: Deceased mother; daughter Carol Pepper corresponded with Ray during incarceration.  
- **John Larry Ray**: Brother; served prison time, last seen by Ray around 1964.  
- **Jerry William Ray**: Sibling; divorced from Gerdis Street.  
- **Frank Delano Ryan**: Brother who died in a 1963 auto accident.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister; ran Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis.  
- **Melba Marie Ryan**: Sister; received disability pension, resides in Quincy, Illinois.  
- **Susan Donian**: Sister; lived in foster care, last saw Ray at age 6.  
- **James T. Bond**: Inmate who described Ray as racist and drug-dependent.  
- **Jerome Carpententer**: Knew Ray’s brother Jerry Ray and their father Jermey Ray.  
- **Carl Benton Drake**: Fellow inmate; claimed to receive calls from Ray after MLK’s assassination.  

Key Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Primary incarceration site; Ray worked in the bakery, used amphetamines, and practiced lock-picking.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned as a city Ray frequented.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Alleged residence; linked to local criminal networks.  
- **Mexico** (e.g., Acapulco, Vera Cruz): Ray reportedly made multiple trips for "cooling off" and was involved in violent incidents.  
- **Canada**: Ray planned relocation post-prison.  

Key Events:  
- **Ray’s escape from prison (April 1967)**: Described by inmates as a calculated plan involving informants.  
- **Drug activities**: Inmates noted Ray’s sale of narcotics and petty theft within the penitentiary.  
- **Bounty rumors**: Speculative claims about a bounty for MLK’s assassination, though details are inconsistent.  
- **Associations with criminal networks**: Links to figures like Jack Gavon, Raymond Curtis, and reporters.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Businessman’s Association**: Mentioned as offering a bounty for MLK’s assassination; details are fragmented.  
- **U.S. Army**: Speculated by Donald Wean Rigger as a potential means for Ray to conceal his identity post-escape.  
- **Black Panther Party**: Associated with Eric Galt and George Jackson, though direct ties to Ray remain unclear.  

Notes:  
- The text contains errors (e.g., repeated "E.O." codes, inconsistent names) and fragmented information about Ray’s associates.  
- No inmate explicitly confirmed Ray’s involvement in MLK’s assassination, though some speculated due to his criminal history and ties to bounties.  
- Family members and inmates provided conflicting accounts of Ray’s behavior and whereabouts post-escape.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_010-02-part_11_of_12.pdf

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