</s>ME 44-1987 IV. PRISON INMATES AND ASSOCIATES 46 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary: The document contains testimonies from multiple inmates and associates detailing James Earl Ray’s behavior during his incarceration at various state penitentiaries between 1950 and 1968, including his drug use, escape attempts, and alleged connections to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Inmates describe Ray as a solitary individual with no close associates, though some mention his interest in escaping and occasional interactions with others. Accounts reference his reliance on amphetamines, involvement in prison-related crimes such as smuggling and lottery operations, and references to plans to kill MLK upon release. Some inmates noted Ray’s familiarity with Alabama, Birmingham, Mexico, and the Businessmen’s Association, while others highlighted his alleged racist views and distrust of prison staff. Testimonies also include fragmented details about his movements post-release, interactions with individuals like Eric S. Galt, and financial transactions involving smuggling activities. One inmate recalled a speculative conversation about a bounty on MLK’s life, though no direct evidence is provided. The text includes inconsistencies in testimonies and mentions of potential connections to the assassination investigation, though no conclusive links are established.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner with drug dependencies, alleged racist views, and possible ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Billy Brown**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary (1961–1964); noted Ray’s amphetamine use and escape attempts.  
- **Richard Beaman**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967; stated Ray was quiet with no known associates.  
- **Julius Maurice Block**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; described Ray as a loner with sexual predilections.  
- **Joseph Adams**: Inmate at Illinois State Penitentiary; met Ray at Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967.  
- **Leo Barnett**: Inmate at Florida State Prison; reported Ray’s amphetamine use and mental condition.  
- **James T. Bond**: Inmate at Cayahoga County Jail, Ohio; described Ray as a racist baker with drug dependencies.  
- **Thomas Britton**: Inmate at Mississippi State Penitentiary in 1965; noted Ray’s familiarity with Alabama.  
- **James W. Brown**: Inmate at Mississippi State Military Prison; heard Ray express admiration for MLK’s assassination.  
- **Everett Wayne Cox**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; described Ray’s involvement in prison operations and alleged connection to Eric Larson.  
- **George Ben Edmondson**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; mentioned Ray’s potential ties to escape planning.  
- **Melvin Oliver Gridley**: Inmate at Missouri Training Center for Men; noted Ray’s solitary confinement in 1965–1966.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; described Ray as a “killer” with ties to drug networks.  
- **Frank Joseph Guinan**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; mentioned Ray’s alleged addiction to amphetamines and smuggling activities.  
- **Russell Lee Martin**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; stated Ray sold narcotics prior to his escape.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: FBI informant (number 48187); described Ray’s escape planning and distrust of prison staff.  
- **Howard Nunn** (inmate #66889): Mentioned as someone Ray may have associated with during his escape.  
- **James Loama Owens**: Interviewed by St. Louis Division; knew Ray as “Jim O'Connor” in 1959; described his criminal activities.  
- **Robert Powell**: Inmate at Jefferson City Prison; met Ray briefly; noted his escape attempts and lack of close ties.  
- **James Pruet**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; knew Ray well; mentioned his criminal activities and prison behavior.  
- **Donald Johnson**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; worked in the bread room during Ray’s 1967 escape; denied knowledge of his plan or whereabouts.  
- **James D. Wallace**: Inmate who saw Ray and Jimmy Owens at a bank in St. Louis in 1967; later claimed to have received a letter from Ray about King’s assassination.  
- **Charles Calvin Bookman**: Leavenworth inmate who met Ray in 1956; claimed to have received a phone call from Ray in 1968.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Inmate at Leavenworth; associated with Ray; stated Ray was prejudiced against Black individuals.  
- **Dyrell Dennis**: Hotel worker in Milwaukee; encountered a man described as Eric Galt, linked to Ray.  
- **Marie Martin**: Waitress at St. Francis Hotel; interacted with Galt and witnessed his behavior.  
- **Rita Stein**: Los Angeles resident; met Galt in 1967; claimed he drove her children to New Orleans.  
- **Jerome Wallis Vernon**: Laundry operator; noted similarities between laundry items found near the assassination site and those brought by Galt.  
- **Charles J. Stein**: Los Angeles resident; detailed interactions with Galt, including a trip to New Orleans in December 1967.  

Key Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Stark, Seagoville, Texas): Primary location for Ray’s incarceration; multiple inmates detailed his behavior here.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Where Joseph Adams was incarcerated; met Ray during his time at Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **Florida State Prison**: Leo Barnett was an inmate here; noted Ray’s interactions with other prisoners.  
- **Mississippi State Penitentiary** and **Mississippi State Military Prison**: Sites where inmates like Thomas Britton, James W. Brown, and Melvin Oliver Gridley interacted with Ray.  
- **California State Prison** (Bill12): Flowd Evans Hill was incarcerated here; mentioned a man resembling Ray who discussed safes and escape plans.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Ray’s alleged residence in the 1950s; site of prison and bank encounters.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a place Ray may have lived, though details are unclear.  
- **Mexico**: Ray allegedly traveled to multiple cities including Vera Cruz, Acapulco, Nogales, and Mexico City; reportedly left Mexico City after an altercation.  
- **Lake of the Ozarks**: Ray’s alleged interest in visiting post-release.  

Key Events:  
- **Ray’s drug use**: Multiple inmates reported his reliance on amphetamines, including descriptions of his daily pill regimen and alleged hallucinations.  
- **Escape attempts**: Inmates described Ray’s repeated efforts to escape, including tunneling, smuggling operations, and planning to flee to Mexico or Canada.  
- **References to MLK**: Several inmates noted Ray’s statements about killing MLK upon release, referencing a bounty on his head and admiration for the assassination.  
- **Prison activities**: Ray was involved in lottery operations, smuggling (e.g., from Brownsville, Texas to Mexico), and book sales within the prison system.  
- **Distrust of staff**: Ray was perceived as distrustful of prison guards and fellow inmates, believing they were potential informants.  
- **Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary** (multiple inmates describe his escape attempts, potential accomplices, and lack of close associates).  
- **Alleged criminal activities**: Selling amphetamines, petty theft, and involvement in prison-related crimes; some inmates mention Ray’s role in distributing drugs.  
- **Discussion of a bounty on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life** (one inmate recalls a speculative conversation about a potential reward for King’s assassination, though no evidence is provided).  
- **Prison riots and conflicts**: Mention of Black Muslim petitions, white prisoners arming themselves, and resulting riots; Ray described as racist and hostile toward Black inmates.  
- **Ray’s movements post-release**: Testimonies include his alleged association with Eric S. Galt, activities in Los Angeles and New Orleans around the time of King’s death, and financial transactions involving smuggling items like inhalers.  
- **Laundry items found near the assassination site**: Claims that laundry items matching those associated with Galt were discovered at the scene.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** and associated facilities: Central to Ray’s incarceration and interactions with other inmates.  
- **Businessmen’s Association**: Mentioned in relation to Ray’s alleged interest in a bounty on MLK’s head.  
- **Smuggling networks**: Implied through Ray’s connections to individuals like MATEO LOPEZ GARCIA and his smuggling activities between Texas and Mexico.  
- **Black Muslims**: Mentioned in the context of a 1966 petition for religious services, which led to a prison riot involving weapons and violence.  
- **FBI Identification Division**: Assigned Ray FBI number 405 942 G; noted his Social Security Number as [SSN REDACTED].  
- **Local police departments** (e.g., Los Angeles PD, Chicago PD): Involved in arrests and charges against Ray from 1946 to 1960.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ny-1609_sec_005_ser_601-620-part_3_of_6.pdf

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