</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 quite and had very small velms making it difficult for him main line" RAY to shoot. He purchased barbiturates and amplified whenever he could, but always believed he was 11, using using "RAY shots." JEROME C. CANYON (CANYON) POSSESSORTER, possesses about Missouri State Penitentiary (NAN) JAMES EARL EAY since 1963, but he was known as "JAMES EARLY EAY" because he was a for murder. not well. He knew JERRY JERAY, brother of JAMES RAY and 1963, BUT their father was named JERMY RAY. When CARPENBERRY was 15 years of age his mother they saw with JEREY RAY was went to St. Louis, Missouri. They separated after two years and his son. They were separated after a few years very soft-spoken. The described RAY is to be a quiet, meek person who was CARL BENTON DRAKE, now a self employed contractor at St.Louis was fellow inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary with JAMES EARY RAY during the period 1960 or 1961 until his release in 1965. RAY described as a or 1961 while he released for 1865. Ray was described a well with the other inmate 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 call coming from New Orleans Louisiana, and was called from North Carolina). THOMAS BRITTON became acquainted with JAMES EARL RAY in November 1965. He became acquainted as a James Earl State Pententiary. Ray worked in J.H. Hall as a "walk boy." 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 could walk throughout the hall freely. Conversations with 80 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains testimonies from inmates incarcerated with James Earl Ray at Missouri prisons between 1955 and 1968, detailing his behavior, escape attempts, and alleged criminal activities. Inmates described Ray as a quiet, meek individual with racist views toward Black people, who expressed interest in escaping prison and selling drugs. Some accounts reference Ray’s discussions about a $100,000 bounty for killing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though no direct evidence of involvement in the assassination is provided. Inmates noted his physical traits, including a cleft chin and "lough-footed" gait, as well as associations with individuals like Johnny Valenti and Milton Valvaloski. Ray’s escape plans, smuggling activities near Campeche Bay, Mexico, and alleged connections to criminal networks are mentioned. Separate records detail FBI files on Ray’s extensive criminal history, including arrests for robbery, forgery, and burglary, along with his fingerprints and case numbers. Other documents reference Eric Starvo Galt, Dyrell Dennis, and Charles J. Stein, linking them to Ray and activities in New Orleans, Hollywood, and Missouri. A list of names and identifiers includes references to MLK’s assassination as "SHOOTING 22, 34," with administrative notes on declassification under Executive Order 14176.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Inmates described him as a quiet, escape-focused individual with racist views toward Black people. His criminal history includes arrests for robbery, forgery, and burglary.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Linked to Ray and associated with individuals like Charles J. Stein and Rita Stein. Described as a man in his late 30s/early 40s with light blue eyes and a nasal twang.  
- **Dyrell Dennis**: Resided in Milwaukee and Los Angeles; connected to Galt and Louis Lomax, a Los Angeles newspaperman.  
- **Charles J. Stein** and **Rita Stein**: Traveled to New Orleans with Galt, registered for the GEORGE WALLACE political party.  
- **John Eugene Cawon**: Criminal associate of Ray involved in burglaries and prison escapes.  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Referenced in the context of an assassination incident labeled "SHOOTING 22, 34."  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City): Central to Ray’s incarceration from 1955–1968; inmates described interactions with him.  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary**: Mentioned as a location where Ray was housed during part of his incarceration.  
- **Folsom State Prison** (California): Where some inmates, like Charles S. Calvin Bookman, interacted with Ray.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Central to trips involving Galt, Stein, and Rita Stein; included the Provincetown Hotel.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Site of encounters between Galt and Stein at the St. Francis Hotel and Sultan Room.  
- **Campeche Bay, Mexico** and **Torreon, Acapulco**: Mentioned in Ray’s alleged smuggling activities.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s escape attempts**: Inmates noted frequent planning for escapes, including a successful attempt in April 1967 with assistance from Donald Johnson.  
- **Alleged drug trafficking**: Multiple inmates stated Ray and others sold amphetamines to fellow prisoners.  
- **Trips to New Orleans (1967)**: Galt traveled with Stein and Rita Stein, registering for the GEORGE WALLACE political party.  
- **FBI records on Ray’s criminal history**: Include arrests, convictions, fingerprints, and case numbers.  
- **Investigation into MLK’s assassination**: Referenced as "SHOOTING 22, 34" in a list of names and identifiers; no direct evidence of involvement is provided.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Maintained records on Ray’s criminal activities, including fingerprints and case numbers.  
- **Local Police Departments**: Involved in arrests related to Galt and Ray, including Los Angeles PD, St. Louis PD, and Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **GEORGE WALLACE political party**: Mentioned in the context of Stein’s activities with Galt in New Orleans.  
- **Smuggling operations near Campeche Bay, Mexico**: Allocated to Ray’s alleged criminal networks.  
- **Business Association (alleged connection to Ray’s bounty claims)**: Referenced in inmate accounts of a $10,000 bounty for King’s death through "Cooley's."

MLK Declassified Files

44-se-371_767164_02-03-part_5_of_6.pdf

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