</s>SL: 44-775 AJR: pdp AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI RE: RAY RELATIVES On April 29, 1968, IC JOHN D. DYER, JR. checked records of the St. Louis Police Department which disclosed the following record under date of October 22, 1963, pertaining to ALBERT BENNIE PEPPER, also known as ALBERTY BENNY PEPFER, FBI Number 581 723 D, St.Louis Police Department Number 78932-3. 262 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail law enforcement and federal investigations involving individuals associated with the Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis, Missouri, during 1968. Albert Benny Pepper, also known as Alberty Benny Pepfer (FBI Number 581 723 D), had prior arrests for theft and burglary between 1958 and 1963. On February 20, 1968, a disturbance at the tavern involved James VanHorn, Eugene Vaughn, and Jimmy D. VanHorn, who were arrested for theft, assault, and discharging firearms. Clarence Haynes was shot in the head during the incident. A steel revolver (serial #10/0558) was recovered from the scene. Carol Pepper, the tavern owner, held liquor licenses issued to her.  

The FBI investigated James Earl Ray’s movements in St. Louis, including his hotel stays at the MacArthur Hotel in February 1968 and interactions with his brother John Larry Ray, who owned the Grapevine Tavern. Records note Ray’s alleged visits to his brother James Earl Ray in prison and his ownership of the tavern. Carol Ann Pepper’s liquor license application and prior arrests were reviewed by law enforcement. The FBI also tracked Jerry Ray and his brother John Ray, noting their movements between May 3–7, 1968, including meetings at the Grapevine Tavern. Financial records and tax filings related to the tavern business were examined.  

Key People:  
- Albert Benny Pepper (also known as Alberty Benny Pepfer)  
- James VanHorn  
- Eugene Vaughn  
- Jimmy D. VanHorn  
- Clarence Haynes (victim)  
- Carol Pepper (tavern owner)  
- John Larry Ray (brother of James Earl Ray; owner of Grapevine Tavern)  
- James Earl Ray (subject of FBI investigation; fugitive from Missouri State Penitentiary)  
- Jerry Ray (brother of James Earl Ray)  
- Albert Ray (family member, possibly related to Carol Ann Pepper)  

Key Locations:  
- Grapevine Tavern, 1982 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, Missouri  
- St. Louis Police Department records  
- Metropolitan Police Department records  
- MacArthur Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri  
- Cherokee Street, Hickory, Wyoming (addresses associated with Ray family)  
- Jefferson City, Missouri (State Liquor Control Office referenced in license records)  

Key Events:  
- Arrests of Albert Benny Pepper for theft and burglary (1958–1963)  
- Disturbance at Grapevine Tavern on February 20, 1968, involving theft, assault, and gunfire  
- Identification of suspects by Neoma Regazzi (barmaid) and victim Clarence Haynes  
- Recovery of a steel revolver (serial #10/0558) from the tavern scene  
- Liquor license application review for Carol Ann Pepper  
- FBI investigation into James Earl Ray’s movements in St. Louis, including hotel stays and family contacts  
- Interviews with MacArthur Hotel staff regarding guest registrations linked to John Larry Ray  
- Monitoring of Jerry Ray’s movements between May 3–7, 1968, including interactions at the Grapevine Tavern  
- Review of financial records and tax filings related to the tavern business  

Key Organizations:  
- St. Louis Police Department  
- Metropolitan Police Department (City of St. Louis)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Commercial Credit Rating Company (credit record checks for Carol Pepper and Albert Ray)  
- State Liquor Control Office, Missouri  
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (related to liquor license tax filings)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_81-01-part_7_of_9.pdf

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