</s>NE 44-1987 TOR:tjm 1 JOSEPH ADAMS currently incarcerated at the Illinois State Penitentiary was acquired with JAMES EARL RAY at the Missouri State Penitentialary. ADAMS left the pintentiary in October, 1967. RAY brought food to the hospital where ADAMS was working and as assumed RAY worked in the prison kitchen. He described him as a quiet individual, but he never talked directly to him nor did he ever observe him with any other imates. LEO BARNETT currently incarcerated AT the Florida State Prison, Raiford, Florida, knew JAMES EARL RAY in the Missouri state Prison from about 1962 until August New Jersey, Missouri, Missouri. at the New Pennentiary, Kobberly, MISSISSIPPI, MISSISIPPI. RAY never said much, did not bother anybody, was a longer and had a bad and nervous condition and a definite mental problem. He was taking powdered amphetamine while in prison and would suffer weight losses and gains of 10 to 19 pounds. He would suffer per centimeter. BARNETT stated that amphetamine taken in quantities would produce a substantial rapid weight loss. The amphetamine supply, prior to 1964, was $5 a shot or less and after 1964, although the supply was limited, it still sold for the same price. 46 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents contain fragmented testimonies from individuals incarcerated with James Earl Ray (JER) at U.S. prisons during the 1960s, detailing his behavior, associations, and alleged activities. These accounts describe JER’s solitary nature, drug use (amphetamines), escape attempts, and interactions with inmates like Carl Drake and Mateo López García. References to smuggling operations, potential ties to Mexico, and conversations about a "bounty" for Martin Luther King Jr.’s death are noted, though no direct evidence of involvement in the assassination is provided. A separate section references Eric S. Galt, a figure linked to Los Angeles and New Orleans through laundry services, trips, and alleged criminal activities, but no connection to MLK’s assassination is established. The text includes an index label referencing "KING, DR. MARTIN LUTHER, JR. - SHOOTING," though it lacks detailed investigation content.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER):** Central figure; described as a loner with drug use habits, escape attempts, and alleged smuggling ties.  
- **Carl Drake:** Inmate associated with JER’s smuggling activities.  
- **Mateo López García/Mayo García López:** Suspected Mexican associates of JER involved in smuggling.  
- **Eric S. Galt:** Linked to Los Angeles and New Orleans through business and personal connections; mentioned in contexts of laundry services and alleged criminal activities.  
- **Rita Stein:** Associated with Galt via family interactions, including trips to New Orleans.  
- **Charles Stein:** Brother of Rita Stein; referenced in Galt’s activities.  
- **Marie Martin:** Linked to Galt through Rita Stein; mentioned in potential robbery plots.  
- **Jerome Wallis Vernon:** Tied to George Wallace’s political party via Galt.  
- **John Eugene Gawron:** Convicted criminal with connections to Galt and JER.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary/Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary:** Sites of JER’s incarceration; described as locations for his escape attempts and interactions with inmates.  
- **Florida State Prison:** Mentioned in relation to Joseph Adams’ time with JER.  
- **California State Prison (B11112):** Floyd Evans Hill, an inmate who claimed to recognize JER’s appearance.  
- **Mexico (Campeche, Torresdale):** Alleged destinations for JER’s smuggling and escape plans.  
- **Los Angeles, California:** Primary location for Galt’s business activities, including the International School of Bartending.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana:** Site of trips involving Rita Stein’s family and alleged interactions with Galt.  
- **Alton, Illinois:** Place of birth for James Earl Ray (linked to Gawron).  

Key Events  
- **Drug Use:** JER was described as using amphetamines ("bennies") and taking multiple pills daily.  
- **Escape Attempts:** Inmates noted JER’s repeated escape attempts, which he attributed to informants thwarting his plans.  
- **Smuggling/Safes:** JER allegedly operated a smuggling business and expressed interest in safes for exploitation in California.  
- **Bounty on MLK:** Some inmates claimed JER discussed a "bounty" for King’s assassination, though this is not explicitly confirmed.  
- **Trips to New Orleans:** Involving Rita Stein’s family and Galt, including transportation of children.  
- **Laundry Services:** Galt’s business dealings with Home Service Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company.  
- **Criminal Activities:** References to robbery plots, drug transactions, and potential involvement in violent acts (e.g., "kill someone").  
- **Political Ties:** Associations with George Wallace’s party and other political figures via Galt.  

Key Organizations  
- **Smuggling Networks:** JER allegedly collaborated with Mexican nationals (e.g., Mateo López García) for smuggling operations.  
- **Home Service Laundry & Dry Cleaning Company:** Linked to Galt’s business activities.  
- **International School of Bartending:** Mentioned as a location associated with Galt.  
- **FBI Identification Division:** Provided identification records for James Earl Ray, though not directly tied to the text’s events.

MLK Declassified Files

44-om-310_763633_15-05-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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