</s>SAC, CHICAGO (88-11505) 2/21/68 SAC_ SPRINGFIELD (88-$5361) - RUC- JAMES EARL RAY, aka FUG-TIVE UFAC- ROBERRY FIRST 00: KANSAS CITY Buffalo 88-4170 Routlet to Springfield dated 12/29/67. The following investigation was conducted by IC JOSEPH D. HAMITTI: The following investigator was conductedby Section D. JAMES TABOR, Supervisor, Auto Registration Mr. JAMES TABCR, Supervisor. Auto Registration Section, Secretary of State, Springfield, Illinois, advised on 1/31/08 that a check of records for 1967 and 1963 failed to reflect any vehicles registered or titled to a JERRY RAY. Mrs. MARIE DICKENSEN, Supervisor/Drivers License Section, Secretary of State. Springfield, Illinois, advised on 1 /31/63 that a checke of records failed to reflect any driver's or chauffour's license issued to a Jerry Ray. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. 2 - Chicago (88~11505). (2) Kansas City (88)-9449) 1 - Springfield (88-'9461) 83-5/11/19-23 JDM/Jac (9) 44-19-19/19, Sub-4/48.5 n Dlister O.P.A. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document compiles federal law enforcement records from the early-to-mid 1960s, focusing on investigations into criminal activities involving James Earl Ray and Walter Terry Riffe. The records include FBI case files, postal service reports, parole office documents, and surveillance notes detailing their histories of fraud, forgery, and alleged threats against civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Key elements include Ray’s 1965 burglary in Quincy, Illinois, where he allegedly stole over 66 blank postal money orders; his 1964 arrest for murdering a Postal Service employee in Hannibal, Missouri; and his later association with the assassination of MLK in 1968. Walter Terry Riffe is noted as a co-conspirator in the Quincy fraud case, with records showing his incarceration at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary (1955–1960) for similar offenses. The documents also reference FBI surveillance codes (e.g., UFAC - Robbery First), internal tracking numbers (e.g., 44-768, 55678th), and administrative notes from the U.S. Parole Office regarding Ray’s release in 1958. Additional reports mention unverified claims about potential threats against MLK, including statements by Delano Elmer Walker, a man with a criminal record, who alleged he was approached about assassinating MLK but later denied these claims. The text includes fragmented records from the Buffalo Credit Bureau, Texas banks, and New York State death certificates, some of which contain discrepancies or redacted information. While not directly tied to MLK’s assassination, the documents contextualize Ray’s criminal background, which became central to that historical event.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure in MLK’s assassination; convicted in 1969 for the crime. Arrested multiple times for robbery, fraud, and murder (e.g., 1964 Hannibal killing).  
- **Walter Terry Riffe**: Co-conspirator in postal money order fraud with Ray; incarcerated at Leavenworth Penitentiary (1955–1960) for forgery and postal violations.  
- **Delano Elmer Walker**: Allegedly approached about assassinating MLK, though claims were disputed; served time for assault.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: Noted as a former prisonmate or associate of Ray.  
- **Carol Pepper** (Ray’s sister) and **Jerry Ray** (Ray’s brother): Monitored by investigators as potential leads.  
- **Shirley family**: Visited the Pepper household; monitored for possible knowledge of Ray’s whereabouts.  

Key Locations  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Site of 1965 burglary where Ray allegedly stole postal money orders and stamps.  
- **Hannibal, Missouri**: Location of Ray’s 1964 murder arrest.  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary**: Where Walter Terry Riffe was incarcerated (1955–1960).  
- **Buffalo, New York**: Mentioned in credit bureau records and a death certificate discrepancy.  
- **San Antonio, Texas**: Included in fingerprint comparison efforts.  
- **New York State**: Home of the disputed death certificate linked to Ray’s 1955 assault charge.  

Key Events  
- **1964**: James Earl Ray arrested for murdering a U.S. Postal Service employee in Hannibal, Missouri.  
- **1965**: Ray and Walter Terry Riffe allegedly burglarized a post office in Quincy, Illinois, stealing over 66 blank money orders and stamps.  
- **1968**: Ray’s association with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., though not explicitly detailed in this document.  
- **1955–1960**: Walter Terry Riffe incarcerated at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary for postal fraud and forgery.  
- **1958**: James Earl Ray released from Leavenworth Penitentiary (after serving time for a 1955 assault charge).  
- **Unverified claims**: Delano Elmer Walker alleged he was approached about assassinating MLK, but neighbors denied visits to his home.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Conducted surveillance on Ray and Riffe; referenced case numbers (e.g., 44-768, 55678th) and file categories like UFAC - Robbery First.  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Investigated the Quincy burglary and money order fraud.  
- **U.S. Parole Office**: Maintained records on Ray’s release from Leavenworth Penitentiary in 1958.  
- **Buffalo Credit Bureau**: Mentioned in fingerprint comparisons related to Ray’s criminal history.  
- **New York State Department of Health**: Issued a death certificate with discrepancies linked to Ray’s 1955 assault charge.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_80-04-part_3_of_4.pdf

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