</s>SL 44-775 4 With regard to the matter of a money order directed from an inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary to the Albert. Pepper Stationery Company, 212 Sandeshoff, P. V. P. Louis, Mrs. pepper stationery Company. 212 Sandshoff, p. Louis. Mrs. regarding such a matter since she was previously interviewed regarding this matter. She still does vaguely remember that someone told her one while she was in the penitentiary that she was a member of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. having sent magazines to him and cannot recall that she was over reimbursed for doing so. She is certain, however, that there was never for Albert Pepper Stationery Coony at 712 Shendandoah. Mrs. PEPPER has no collection that she has ever known of a person named Y. WEEBE or V. V, P, WEBB, and this name is not in any way familiar or significant to her. 139 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967, his alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and related financial and familial connections. Carol Pepper, Ray’s sister, was interviewed regarding her brother’s activities, stating she had no knowledge of his post-escape movements beyond news reports. John Larry Ray, James Earl Ray’s brother, denied any contact with his sibling since 1967 and provided details about his own residences in St. Louis, including addresses on Hickory Street, Shenandoah, and Lafayette. Financial records from Jefferson-Gravois Bank show deposits totaling $1,350 by August 1967 and frequent withdrawals through April 1969. Ray also mentioned trips to Florida, California, Mexico, and stays at locations such as the Grapevine Tavern and MacArthur Hotel. Naomi Regazzi, a barmaid at the Grapevine Tavern, confirmed Ray had no knowledge of the MLK assassination but noted his financial ties to criminal networks. Jerry Ray, another brother, communicated with FBI agents in 1968, stating he had not been contacted by family members since the assassination and claimed James Earl Ray was paid to establish Eric Starvo Galt’s identity. Investigations also included inquiries into property rentals, stolen credit cards, and connections to individuals like Kurt Naser and MILFORD JAMES ROEHRS, a KKK member with no information about Ray’s whereabouts.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** – Subject of investigation; identified as the assassin of MLK Jr., with no confirmed contact with his brother John Larry Ray post-escape.  
- **Carol Pepper** – Sister of James Earl Ray; interviewed by FBI regarding her family’s knowledge of Ray’s activities.  
- **John Larry Ray** – Brother of James Earl Ray; provided financial and travel details to FBI, denied involvement in threats or the assassination.  
- **Jerry Ray** – Another brother of James Earl Ray; communicated with FBI in 1968, claimed no contact from family since MLK’s assassination.  
- **Naomi Regazzi (nee Haynes)** – Former barmaid at Grapevine Tavern; provided financial and operational details about John Larry Ray.  
- **Clarence Haynes** – Mentioned as a relative of Naomi Regazzi; referenced in financial and business contexts.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** – Allegedly impersonated by James Earl Ray, per Jerry Ray’s claim.  
- **MILFORD JAMES ROEHRS** – Sullivan, Missouri, police officer interviewed regarding KKK membership; denied knowledge of James Earl Ray’s escape or whereabouts.  
- **Kurt Naser** – Sold property in 1967 rented primarily to Black occupants; linked to investigations into James Earl Ray’s financial activities.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** – Central location for FBI interviews, property rentals, and financial records.  
- **Grapevine Tavern (Illinois)** – Site of John Larry Ray’s operations and alleged threats against patrons.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri** – Site of Missouri State Penitentiary where James Earl Ray was incarcerated prior to his escape.  
- **Flamingo, Florida** – Mentioned as a short-term work location by John Larry Ray.  
- **San Francisco, California** – Traveled to for business ventures by John Larry Ray.  
- **Tijuana, Mexico** – Visited during travel by John Larry Ray.  
- **Lambert-St. Louis Airport** – Site of recovered 1968 Dodge Dart linked to stolen credit card activity.  
- **Center, Missouri** – Location where Jerry Ray planned to visit his father.  

Key Events  
- **Escape of James Earl Ray from Missouri State Penitentiary (1967)** – Central focus of FBI investigations.  
- **FBI interviews with Carol Pepper and John Larry Ray** – To determine contact, movements, and potential involvement in criminal activities.  
- **Financial transactions at Jefferson-Gravois Bank** – Deposits totaling $1,350 by August 1967 and withdrawals through April 1969.  
- **John Larry Ray’s trips to Florida, California, Mexico** – Including stays at Grapevine Tavern and MacArthur Hotel.  
- **Jerry Ray’s communication with FBI on May 9, 1968** – Stated intent to travel to Chicago for protection against media attention.  
- **Interview of MILFORD JAMES ROEHRS (May 10, 1968)** – Admitted KKK membership but denied knowledge of James Earl Ray’s escape or whereabouts.  
- **Recovery of 1968 Dodge Dart at St. Louis Airport (May 16, 1968)** – Linked to stolen credit card activity and fingerprint analysis confirming it did not match James Earl Ray’s prints.  
- **Investigation into property sold by Kurt Naser in 1967** – Noted for being rented primarily to Black occupants.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted interviews, financial investigations, and surveillance on James Earl Ray and his associates.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** – Site of James Earl Ray’s incarceration prior to his escape.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank** – Managed John Larry Ray’s checking account with detailed transaction history.  
- **Miller & Scheer Real Estate Company** – Linked to property rentals and financial transactions involving John Larry Ray.  
- **Boaters’ National Bank** – Recipient of checks from John Larry Ray’s account.  
- **Ku Klux Klan (KKK)** – Mentioned through MILFORD JAMES ROEHRS, who admitted membership but denied knowledge of James Earl Ray’s activities.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_83-01-part_05_of_10.pdf

Document Summary

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