</s>4 SL: 44-775 Both automobiles were then driven to the intersection of Indiana and Potomac Streets in St. Louis. The stolen car, of the previous mentioned Ford, in St ., Louis. the previously mentioned Ford was entered by both men. RAY proceeded to a small office located in the front of the store, where he pointed the automatic pistol he was carrying store, and the store was entered to both men, safe. OWENS remained close to the front door where he was as a look-out, according to OWENS, left revolver in his coat pocket. OWNS stated to stop door where the man his coat was stolen after a few years ago. at a woman cashier, ordered her to step aside, and then reached into the open cash drawer, removing an unknown sum of currency. Both men then cash the setre and departed in the stolen Ford automobiles. A switch from OWENS' 1958 Plymouth. to RAY'S home owners, they thereafter made and both men then drove to RAV'S Home owners, 1958 Plymouth, Upon arrival, they proceeded to the bathroom of RAY's home where OWENS returned, they proceed to the bathroom of RAV's $60.00 in six $10.00 bill, which constituted OWENS's share of the money earned in the robbery, OWENS then gave OWENS residence and proceeded to his automobile where he has placed under arrest. RAY, when interviewed, refused to make any statement, but OWENS was interviewed, positively identified him as the man who had accompanied him to the Kroger Store and assisted him in the commission of the hold-up-up. Both individuals were thereafter charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and operating an automobile without the owner's consent. An additional charge of resisting arrest was placed against RAY. The St.Louis Police Department, Bureau of Records, had no information on JAMES EARL RAY, but the report reflects 11/2 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail multiple unrelated investigations into individuals with potential connections to James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., though no direct link to MLK's assassination is established. The first entry discusses Leo Holden Parker, a prison inmate in St. Louis, Missouri, who claimed he was wrongfully convicted of kidnapping and that his physical resemblance to Ray might have led to misidentification. Police denied using retouched photos for identification and noted Parker’s self-defense claims during trial. A second entry outlines Robert Dale Porter’s criminal history, including arrests for larceny and burglary in St. Louis, with personal details about his family and residences. The third section involves Robert Powell, a fellow inmate of Ray at Farmington, Missouri, who provided no information about Ray’s whereabouts or activities post-release.  

Key People  
- Leo Holden Parker (prison inmate, claimed resemblance to James Earl Ray)  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK assassination; referenced as "Ray" in multiple entries)  
- Robert Dale Porter (individual with criminal record and personal details documented)  
- Robert Powell (fellow prisoner of Ray; provided no information about Ray’s activities)  
- George McQuade (victim of kidnapping, identified Parker as the perpetrator)  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri (central location for investigations and arrests)  
- Farmington, Missouri (prison where Ray and Powell were inmates)  
- Dinuba, California; Iowa; Tennessee (residences and birthplaces mentioned in Porter’s records)  

Key Events  
- April 26, 1968: Parker claimed innocence of kidnapping, alleging misidentification due to resemblance to Ray.  
- April 25–27, 1968: Investigations into Porter’s criminal history and Powell’s association with Ray.  
- Multiple arrests for larceny, burglary, and other offenses documented in Porter’s records (1946–1967).  

Key Organizations  
- St. Louis Police Department (conducted investigations into Parker, Porter, and Powell)  
- Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department (maintained records on Porter’s criminal history)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_81-01-part_4_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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