</s>ME 44-1987 Personnel at the Harkay Apartments, 8/26/67 Montreal, Canada, are not certain as to the date ERIC S. GALT moved from that address; however, they are in agreement that it was saved by the Birmingham, Alabama, has invested- gation at Birmingham, Georgia, has disclosed that on August 26, 1967, ERIC's GALT registered at a rooming house known as Birmingham, Alabama. 8/28/67 ERIC S, GALT, 2008 Highland Avenue, Birmingham Alabama. 8/29/67 Birmingham. Alabama, rented a safe deposit box #5517 at the Main Office, Birmingham, Trust National Bank, Birmingham. Alabama. to the bank at the United, handwritten letter Gulfstream, Alabama to the Bank by united, handwritten letter where he headed he was moving to the where he held the box, and the access to the safe deposit box, was contract for box, ledger card for box. and the undated, handwritten letter from GALT were forwarded to the office of the Birmingham City Council. concluded that the signature of ERIC s. GALT appearing on these items was prepared by the same individual who prepared the GALT appeared on Eric S. by the name of the individual who appeared on other items attributed to ERIC & GALT. 8/ 29-30/67 ERIC GALT ,, an answer to ad ad appearing in a local newspaper, contacted Mr. WILLIAM D. PAISLEY, 701 48th Street South, Birmingham Albany, Alabama ,, in August 30, 1967. a 1966 regarding PAISLEY. AUGUST 30, 1997. GALT met PAISLY at the First National Bank Building, Birmingham ,, where GALT paid building, Birmingham; where the car was sold was prepared indicating the car sold to ERIC GAIT, 260 Highland Avenue , Birmingham, Alabama, telephone #323-9487. 11 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains statements from multiple incarcerated individuals detailing their interactions with James Earl Ray during his imprisonment at various state penitentiaries between 1960 and 1967. These accounts describe Ray's behavior, drug use (amphetamine), escape attempts, and alleged connections to organized crime or smuggling activities. Several inmates mention Ray’s interest in targeting Martin Luther King Jr., including statements about a potential bounty for his assassination. Ray is described as a loner with paranoid tendencies, frequenting prison kitchens, participating in lottery operations, and planning to evade authorities by hiding in Mexico or Canada. Some accounts reference Ray’s alleged involvement in smuggling activities through intermediaries like Carl Drake and Walter Nolan, while others note his interactions with individuals linked to the Chicago underworld. The text also includes details about Ray’s physical appearance, such as a prominent chin scar and distinctive gait, and mentions his purported connections to figures like Johnny Valenti and "BOSTON," though these are not explicitly tied to the assassination investigation.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner with paranoid tendencies, addicted to amphetamines, and involved in prison lottery operations. Mentioned as having expressed interest in killing Martin Luther King Jr. and planning to evade authorities by hiding in Mexico or Canada.  
- **Joseph Adams**: Incarcerated at Illinois State Penitentiary; knew Ray during his time at Missouri State Penitentiary. Described Ray as a quiet, mentally unstable individual who used amphetamines.  
- **Leo Barnett**: Incarcerated at Florida State Prison; noted Ray’s mental instability and drug use, including the purchase of amphetamines for $50–$100 per spoonful.  
- **Carl Drake**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; described Ray as a loner who engaged in smuggling activities and had connections to organized crime figures like Johnny Valenti.  
- **Walter Nolan**: Incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary; claimed to be Ray’s closest associate, noting his paranoid distrust of other inmates and frequent escape planning.  
- **Jimmy Carpenter**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; associated with Ray and mentioned his alleged connections to smuggling operations in Mexico via Campeche Bay.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Primary location for Ray’s incarceration (1960–1967); described as a hub for prison activities, including lottery operations, smuggling, and escape planning.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Where Joseph Adams was incarcerated; mentioned in relation to Ray’s early interactions.  
- **Florida State Prison**: Leo Barnett’s incarceration site; referenced in context of Ray’s drug use and mental state.  
- **Mississippi State Penitentiary**: Mentioned as a location for some inmates’ interactions with Ray, including Carl Drake.  
- **Campeche Bay, Mexico**: Linked to Ray’s alleged smuggling activities through intermediaries like Mateo Garcia Lopez.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s drug use**: Amphetamine addiction was frequently noted by multiple inmates, with prices ranging from $50–$100 per spoonful.  
- **Escape attempts**: Ray is described as planning multiple escapes, with some inmates (e.g., Walter Nolan) claiming he attempted to evade authorities three times.  
- **Prison lottery operations**: Ray participated in prison-based lottery schemes, which were tied to smuggling and organized crime figures like Johnny Valenti.  
- **Statements about Martin Luther King Jr.**: Several inmates mentioned Ray’s alleged interest in targeting King, including references to a potential bounty for his assassination.  
- **Smuggling activities**: Ray was linked to smuggling operations involving small-scale fishing boats and the transportation of goods between Texas and Mexico via Campeche Bay.  

Key Organizations  
- **Organized crime networks**: Implied connections to figures like Johnny Valenti and "BOSTON," though not explicitly tied to the assassination investigation.  
- **Prison smuggling rings**: Described as involving inmates like Carl Drake and intermediaries such as Mateo Garcia Lopez, with activities centered around Campeche Bay.  
- **Prison lottery operations**: A system within Missouri State Penitentiary that Ray allegedly participated in, facilitating illicit financial transactions.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ls-947_sec_004_ser_297-344-part_4_of_8.pdf

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