</s>ME 44-1987 TOR/acp 1 BILLY EDWARD MILES, Missouri State Penitentiary Number 02185, is serving a life sentence in the Missouri State Penitentary, and said he was interviewed by reporters with the permission of Warden SWANSON and has been quoted without the use of his name about his knowledge of RAY. He has known RAY since February 1961 and heard RAY had had a brother and sister. No one was actually a "friend" of RAV's as he had no close friends, but the person CARL DRAKE with this category was close friends. But the person carl drake with whom RAY did get formal information. RAY was always looking for a means to escape and was considered some of the inmates to be "crazy" for his attempts at escape. He was always operating for a book shop together at the prison and they made some money from this. They would sell and trade them for small amounts to the various immates. WALTER & NOLAN has FBI No. 4847 and when interviewed by the E.L. Louis Division has extremely hostile, he remembered JAMES EARL. LOUIS DIVISION was extremely hostile. He remembered Missouri State Penitentialy, but he knew nothing about RAY now and would not tell all law enforcement officials any information he did have. He denied having anything to do with the escape of RAY from the penitentiary and he said he had not seen RAY or been controlled by him since the escape. NOLAN said that he knew RAY for ten years in prison and was aware of his planning to escape on three occasions, but had to knowledge as to the details of modus operandi. He considers himself the closest associate of Ray as an inmate and walked in the prison yard with him daily. It is his opinion that RAY does not trust any convict and regards all as potential "stool pigeons" since RAY felt that two of his escape attempts had been thwarted by informants, 60 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document details interactions between James Earl Ray and prison inmates during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1965) and Leavenworth, Kansas. Ray is described as a criminal with ties to drug trafficking, smuggling, and alleged involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Inmates reported his racist attitudes, participation in prison activities such as tunneling and gambling, and discussions about potential bounties for MLK’s death. Ray’s post-release movements are noted, including stays in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Memphis, Tennessee. Evidence from the investigation includes fingerprints found on a Remington rifle and binoculars linked to Ray, as well as financial transactions under the name Eric S. Galt, which may be connected to his activities.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure accused of assassinating Dr. King; described as a criminal involved in drug dealing, burglary, and smuggling.  
- **Raymond Louis Curtis**: Inmate associated with Ray; mentioned in connection to prison activities.  
- **George Ben Edmondson**: Inmate who provided details about Ray’s behavior and alleged involvement in the assassination.  
- **Melvin Oliver Gridley**: Inmate who reported Ray’s presence in a rooming house in Atlanta, where fingerprints were found on a map of Mexico.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail**: Inmate who described Ray’s criminal activities and interactions with other prisoners.  
- **Jack Fox Lampire**: Inmate associated with Ray; mentioned in connection to prison movements.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Individual linked to Ray through financial transactions, purchases (e.g., binoculars, money orders), and potential involvement in the investigation.  

Key Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Leavenworth, Kansas): Primary prison where Ray was incarcerated; key interactions with inmates occurred here.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Rooming house operated by Jimmy Delton Garner where Ray resided; fingerprints found on a map of Mexico.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination; evidence (rifle, binoculars, personal items) recovered from the Lorraine Motel and surrounding area.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a location where Ray may have stayed prior to moving to Atlanta.  

Key Events:  
- **Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.** (April 4, 1968): Described as occurring from the bathroom window of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis; evidence linking Ray to the crime includes fingerprints on a Remington rifle and binoculars.  
- **Investigation into Ray’s activities**: Includes fingerprint analysis, purchase records, and statements from inmates about his criminal behavior.  
- **Financial transactions**: Eric S. Galt’s purchases (e.g., binoculars, money orders) and address changes linked to Ray’s movements.  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI Identification Division**: Conducted fingerprint analysis on items recovered from the assassination scene, linking them to James Earl Ray.  
- **Locksmithing Institute, Little Falls, New Jersey**: Mentioned in connection to Galt’s financial transactions and address changes.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in the investigation of the assassination and recovery of evidence.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sa-1242_742152_03-02-part_2_of_5.pdf

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