</s>ME 44-1987 7 RAY had a friend in New Orleans whose name was spelled like a coin, "Quarter" or "Dime", apparently a fence, who would harbor RAY. GEORGE BEN EDMONDSON, an inmate at the Missouri, State Penitentiary, initially denied knowing JAMES EARL RAY, but subsequently recognized him as an associate of an inmate he knew by the name of RAY CURTIS. He personally had no he knew the name to get a Canadian passport. He also had no therefore had nothing to discuss him. He especially had no it is very easy to get to a Canadian passport. All that is is very very nothing to get Canadian passport, and that is substantiant this with a baptismal certificate or a birth certificate. These records are available, as are guarantors, in the Rue Notre Dome area. It costs about $50 to obtain in the necessary papers to back up the passport application. All the inmates are at the Missouri State Penitentiaries through this procedure. All the inmate's at the Canadian passport application in Montreal BEN GOODIN, salisman, Schantzmeyer Ford, Jefferson City, Missouri, formerly a chef at the Mississippi State Penitentiary and knew JIMMY RAY well, being his boss for about six years. RAY was a good friend of a blond inmate by the DOWDA was aRAY that had Negroes. mixed up in Peddling dope that both RAY and DOWda could be never prove it. He had an aware that both Ray wanted to escape from the mixed in peeding dope that the penitentiary but he could penitentiary had a "killed" request by RAY for a transfer to a fair because of this. RAV was strictly a loner and very quiet. MELVIN OLIVER GRIDLEY, currently an inmate of the Missouri Training Center for the Missouri state penitentiaries J Hall where RAY hid in the Mississippi, was a "hall tender" in for one week in 1964 or 1965. RAY worked under GRIDLEY in the recreation section but he was described as closed-mouth who had two new friends and did not talk much to anyone, GRIIDLEY lost contact with JAMES EARL RAV in 1965 or 1966 when RAY WAS placed in solitary confinement. 54 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document contains fragmented records detailing James Earl Ray’s (JER) criminal history, prison interactions, and alleged connections to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). JER was incarcerated in Missouri and Illinois prisons between 1952 and 1968 for offenses including robbery, burglary, and forgery. Inmates described his escape attempts, racist remarks toward Black individuals, and discussions about traveling to Mexico and Canada. Some inmates speculated he might have been involved in MLK’s assassination, though no direct evidence is provided. The text references an FBI investigation (case number WF 444-2A) into the assassination, noting JER as a suspect in conspiracy and robbery charges. It includes details about his movements, residences, and interactions with individuals like GAWRON, who provided information on his whereabouts. The document also contains an index of names, locations, and unrelated records, some tied to broader investigations but lacking direct connection to MLK’s assassination.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Central figure; accused of conspiracy and robbery related to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Albert Pepper**: Linked to JER through criminal activities and provided information on his movements.  
- **John Ray**: Brother-in-law of JER, involved in tavern operations in St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **GAWRON (Eric Starvo Galt)**: Provided details about JER’s alleged drug trafficking and location tracking.  
- **James O'Connor, Harvey McBride, W. C. Horron**: FBI agents or personnel associated with the investigation.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Residence for John Ray and site of tavern operations.  
- **East St. Louis, Illinois**: Site of a 1954 robbery involving JER and others.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Prison facility where JER was incarcerated.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Institution where JER was incarcerated for multiple offenses.  

Key Events  
- **Robberies and burglaries**: Multiple arrests of JER between 1952 and 1968, including a 1954 robbery at the GAYSON Store in East St. Louis.  
- **Fugitive status**: JER’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1959 and subsequent evasion of authorities.  
- **Drug trafficking allegations**: Claims that JER trafficked drugs or barbiturates while incarcerated.  
- **FBI investigation**: Case WF 444-2A, focusing on conspiracy and robbery related to MLK’s assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into JER and the assassination case.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Institution where JER was incarcerated for multiple offenses.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies**: Involved in arrests and tracking JER’s movements, including St. Louis and Jefferson City police departments.

MLK Declassified Files

44-mi-388_749561_06-03-part_4_of_7.pdf

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