</s>ME 44-1987 3 BRADLEY was in solitary when RAY escaped and knew nothing of it. He described him as an exceptionally quiet and "odd" person. He took him as such a particularly quiet and had very small veins, making it difficult for him "main line" RAY shots. He could pursue barbituratives and amplified whenever he was murdered, but always believes he was amphemphetamine whenever he wanted him to be. 11, using using "RAY shots." He could be pursued barbaturates and JEROME KENNEDY CARDENTER, possesses Missouri State Penitentiary where he was serving, life sentence for murder. JEROMA KENNEWY CARRENTER passed out 1963, but not well. He knew JERRY RAY EARL since since 1963, BUT their father was named JERMY RAY. Brother of JAMES RAY was 15 years of age was mother they saw with JERKY RAY and went to St. Louis, Missouri. They separated after two years and his son. They returned to Quincy, Illinois. very soft-spoken. CARL BENTON DRAKE, now a self employed contractor at St. Louisville was a fellow inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary with JAMES EARL RAY during the period 1960 or 1961 until his release in 1965. RAY is described as a or 1961 while he released him to the Missouri Bureau of well with the other inmates for both black and white. RAY never displayed properly for violence or racist sentiments. RAY was not addicted to drugs, but nearly all the inmates used any drugs available. (Information received elsewhere noted that Drake had stated he received two telephone calls from RAY since KING was killed, one north coming from New Orleans, Louisiana, and was called from North Carolina). THOMAS BRITTON became acquainted with JAMES EARL RAY in November 1963 became acquired inmates with James Earl State Penitentiary. Ray worked in a J.H. Hall as a walk-by-walk " He would take orders for cigarettes, gum, candy, and the like to be purchased within the prison and would bring the hot walk boy" in J Hall and was free to contact any inmate and walk boy." in Hall and has free to contract any inmate with could walk throughout the hall freely. Conversations with 50 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains statements from multiple individuals regarding James Earl Ray’s (JER) behavior, interactions, and activities during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1965). Inmates described Ray as a quiet, solitary figure who discussed escape plans, including tunneling or hiding in Mexico. He allegedly mentioned knowledge of a $100,000 bounty for killing Martin Luther King Jr., though he claimed not to have acted on it. Ray was associated with smuggling operations near Campachete Bay, Mexico, and had connections to drug trafficking and petty crime. Inmates noted his hypochondria, use of multiple medications, and alleged possession of a 45-caliber automatic weapon. Some described him as a loner with no close friends, though he maintained relationships with fellow inmates like Carl Benton Drake and Melvin Oliver Gridley. Ray’s escape from prison in 1968 was discussed by several witnesses, including Thomas Britton and Everett Wayne Cox, who noted his familiarity with the facility and potential hiding places. The text also includes references to Ray’s alleged ties to individuals in New Orleans, Canada, and Liberia, as well as his interest in legal strategies to secure freedom.  

The document contains statements from inmates and individuals associated with James Earl Ray (JER) during his incarceration at Missouri prisons during the 1950s–1960s. Key details include JER’s behavior as a quiet, non-confrontational individual focused on escaping prison. He was linked to drug sales (amphetamine) within prisons, with some inmates reporting he sold narcotics for $2–$5 per shot. His escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967 is mentioned, though no definitive details on the method are provided. Several individuals claim they did not know JER’s whereabouts post-escape or his involvement in any plots against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Some inmates speculated about JER’s possible motives, including racial animosity toward Black individuals, but none confirmed direct ties to MLK’s assassination. The text also includes fragmented accounts of prison life, such as drug trafficking operations and conflicts between inmate groups.  

The document contains fragmented records of individuals associated with James Earl Ray (JER) and Eric Stavo Galt (ESG), including witness accounts, arrest histories, and location details. It references interactions between JER and others such as Charles J. Stein, Rita Stein, Marie Martin, and GALT at locations like the Sultan Room in Los Angeles, St. Francis Hotel, and New Orleans. Details include descriptions of GALT’s appearance, financial transactions (e.g., $20 bills), and alleged connections to political activities involving George Wallace. The text also includes arrest records for JER, including charges related to burglary, robbery, and forgery, with dates spanning 1952–1967. A description of JER is provided, noting his birthdate (July 7, 1930), height, weight, hair color, and FBI number (405 942 G).  

The text contains a list of names, numbers, and locations associated with various individuals and entities, some of which are linked to historical records related to Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key entries include references to MLK’s assassination, such as "KING, DR. MARTIN LUTHER, JR. - SHOOTING 22, 34," indicating case numbers or dates tied to the investigation. Other names and locations are listed alongside these entries, including addresses in Los Angeles, California, and Mexico, as well as references to businesses like "Piedmont Laundry" and "Modern Photo Book Store." The text also includes mentions of individuals such as Eric Galt, Dale Edmondson, and Frank Lowmeyer, along with organizations like the Friendship Club and local laundries. The document concludes with a note about release under Executive Order 14176, indicating declassification status.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Central figure; described as a quiet, escape-focused individual with alleged ties to drug sales and racial prejudice.  
- **Carl Benton Drake**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; claimed to have received calls from Ray post-escape.  
- **Thomas Britton**: Inmate who met Ray in 1963; noted Ray’s familiarity with Alabama and plans to hide.  
- **JAMES W. BROWN**: Inmate who heard Ray discuss killing MLK and his disdain for Black individuals.  
- **Everett Wayne Cox**: Inmate who knew Ray well; described his interest in Mexico and smuggling.  
- **Melvin Oliver Gridley**: Inmate who worked with Ray in prison recreation; noted Ray’s quiet demeanor.  
- **Paul Alvin Latl**: Inmate who mentioned Ray’s plan to hide in Mexico and his dislike of Black individuals.  
- **Cecil Clayton Lilleridge**: Inmate who described Ray’s hypochondria, medication use, and smuggling ties.  
- **Floyd Evans Hill**: California State Prison inmate; noted Ray’s interest in escaping to Mexico.  
- **John Edward Johnson**: Missouri State Penitentiary inmate; stated no knowledge of Ray’s whereabouts post-escape.  
- **Billy Edward Miles**: Inmate who described Ray’s escape planning and book shop operation.  
- **Donald Dean Rigger**: Inmate who noted JER’s interest in Mexican Army identity concealment and his avoidance of debt.  
- **Neal Abby**: Prison cook who worked with JER and reported he quit smoking and had mechanical skills.  
- **James Richardson**: Inmate who described JER as a "nut" or "cowboy" involved in petty thefts.  
- **Orlan Eugene Rose**: Met JER in 1965; noted JER’s abnormal sexual behavior and lack of close associates.  
- **Frank Maberry**: Inmate unaware of JER until after MLK’s assassination.  
- **Harold Dean Klempp**: Claimed JER had no interest in killing "big wigs" like MLK.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Served time with JER; stated JER was prejudiced against Black individuals but not part of any organization.  
- **Eric Stavo Galt (ESG)**: Also known as Eric Stravo Galt; described as white, late 30s/early 40s, salt-and-pepper hair, light blue eyes. Interacted with Marie Martin, Rita Stein, and Charles J. Stein in Los Angeles and New Orleans.  
- **Charles J. Stein**: Met GALT at the Sultan Room; traveled to New Orleans with GALT to pick up Rita Stein’s children. Noted GALT’s possession of a Kodak camera box and blue suitcase.  
- **Rita Stein**: Sister of Charles J. Stein; her children were transported by GALT from New Orleans to Los Angeles.  
- **Marie Martin**: Cocktail waitress at St. Francis Hotel; met GALT in December 1967, traded television sets with him, and described his appearance and behavior.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (St. Louis): Primary location for Ray’s incarceration and interactions.  
- **Leavenworth, Kansas**: Mentioned as a location for some inmates’ time, including Charles S. Calvin Bookman’s association with JER.  
- **Joplin, Missouri**: Linked to activities involving Rigger and potential robberies.  
- **Lake of the Ozarks**: Noted as a destination JER discussed post-release.  
- **Los Angeles**: Sultan Room (hotel), St. Francis Hotel.  
- **New Orleans**: Mentioned as a destination for GALT’s travels.  
- **Milwaukee**: Associated with Dwell Dennis (Dennis) and JERRY RAYNES.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home of John Eugene Cawton and others; linked to JER’s criminal history.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1968** (discussed by multiple inmates, including Thomas Britton and Billy Edward Miles).  
- **Conversations about a $100,000 bounty for killing MLK** (alleged knowledge but no confirmed action).  
- **Smuggling operations near Campachete Bay, Mexico** (linked to Ray’s alleged associates).  
- **Drug trafficking and petty crime activities** (noted by inmates like James Loama Owens and Frank Joseph Guinan).  
- **Ray’s hypochondria and medication use** (described by Cecil Clayton Lilleridge).  
- **Plans to hide in Mexico or Canada** (mentioned by multiple sources, including Paul Alvin Latl and Floyd Evans Hill).  
- **JER’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967** (described by multiple inmates, though details on the method remain unclear).  
- **Drug trafficking operations**: Inmates reported JER and others selling amphetamines for profit, with some claiming profits reached $1,000 monthly.  
- **Prison conflicts**: Mentioned incidents involving Black Muslim petitions, riots, and weapon searches in 1966.  
- **Speculation about MLK’s assassination**: Some inmates speculated JER might have been motivated to kill MLK due to racial animosity, though no direct evidence is provided.  

Key Organizations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary operations** (prison kitchen, recreation, and legal briefs preparation).  
- **Informal smuggling networks** (linked to Ray’s alleged associates in Mexico).  
- **Drug trafficking rings** (implied through inmate descriptions of Ray’s activities).  
- **Black Muslims**: Mentioned as a group petitioning for religious services at the prison in 1966, leading to conflicts and riots.  
- **Prison drug networks**: Inmates described JER’s involvement in selling amphetamines, with associates including Neal Abby, Bobby Burns, and Glen Shurrick.  
- **FBI**: Assigned number to James Earl Ray (405 942 G).  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Involved in arrests related to forgery and stolen money.  
- **State Penitentiaries**: Mentioned as locations for JER’s incarceration and parole history.

MLK Declassified Files

44-mi-388_749561_06-03-part_6_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search