</s>FD-302 (Rev. 1-25-60) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date 4-29-68 1 JOHN DE LEONARDO, Credit Manager, General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), 9961 Par, Boulevard, furnished the following information to SA EARL II. BROWN: JOHN DE LONARDOO, Credit Manager, General Motor Contract number 32939 S/S was used by JOHN RAY, 1982 Acceptance Corporation (GMACC), 9861 Par. Boulevard, Furnished the following Information to SA EARL II, BROWN. Contract number 33939 S /S was passed by JOHN RAY, 1982 Arsenal, St. Louis, Missouri, Ideal Draft/prized byipal mortgage on February 7, 1968, for an ideal draft/prizeer cooler for a cash sale price of $68 with a low price of 1,000,000. payment of $868 with providence pay, payable $1.25 per day in one payment of §34,98 are now made. payments of $38 per day and one the meter. The cooler is to be made. the date of the sale at the Grape Vine, 1982 A7259 Olive Boulevard, St ., U.S. $1,250 per year in The signer at the Grapes Corpora- was CAROL PEPPER, 2025 Bellevue, St The signor is co-mortgagor was $7599 Olive Boulevard. St. U.s. The signer has a checking aplewple, Missouri. GMAC records reflect at CAROL PEPPER has a checking and savings account of Manufacturers'er's Bank, St, Louis, Missouri. Since JOHN RAV is at signer's St. St, Missouri! Since JOHN RAYS is at SIGNER of the mortgage, GMAC looks to him as being legally. table for payments on this cooler, which was sold by MIKE BURK, Frigid Sales, and who is said to be well acquainted with JOH JAY. GMAC Records fur a reflect that CAROL POPPER's husband is a plumber empl. by New Market Hardware, Sarah and Lacadé. A Xerox copy v the chattel mortgage in question is attached. 3/2 4-26-68 4-27-68 f Louis, Mississippi File # SL 44-775 SA EARL E. BRY /ral Date dictated 4-28-68 by <loc_85><loc_921><loc_105><loc_921><loc_105><loc_932><loc_85><loc_932>This document contains noiit This document contains noi not to be distributed outside your agency. It is to the property of the FBI and is located to <loc_87><loc_950>not to be used to be distributed outside your agent.

Summary  
The document contains fragmented records from multiple U.S. government agencies, including military personnel files, investigative reports, and suspect profiles related to inquiries into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It includes details about individuals suspected or investigated for potential involvement in the case. Key figures include John Ray, Carol Pepper, Delano Elmer Walker, Benny K. Pimston, Lawrence Donald Stouf, James Earl Ray, Melvin E. Deck, Vesta Meadors, Cotton Ray, Reverend Floyd Brower, Willard Benfield, Robert Boshers, Richard L. Brey, Donnie Leon Harden, David Ernest Hawkins, Thomas Robert Henderson, Robert Dean James, Aaron Isaac Lotton, and Joseph M. Pritchett. The records detail financial transactions, threats against MLK, FBI investigations, military service reviews, and claims of look-alike suspects.  

Key People  
- **John Ray**: Business associate linked to the Grapevine Tavern and chattel mortgage for an Ideal Draft Beer Cooler.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Spouse of John Ray; involved in lease agreements and financial records for the tavern.  
- **Delano Elmer Walker**: Incarcerated in Missouri, reported threats against MLK in 1965–1966, with mental health history noted.  
- **Benny K. Pimston** (FBI #314 743 4): Suspect with aliases linked to threats against MLK; arrest history in Arkansas and Missouri.  
- **Lawrence Donald Stouf** (FBI #49 59 380): Subject of FBI investigation for potential ties to the assassination, with a 1953 photograph sent for review.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure in the investigation; alleged connections to parole officers in Illinois and Missouri, with relatives investigated in Elsberry, Missouri.  
- **Melvin E. Deck**: Provided information about Bill Ray’s family, including Vesta Meadors and Cotton Ray.  
- **Vesta Meadors**: Wife of Bill Ray, mother of Cotton Ray, described as identical to James Earl Ray.  
- **Cotton Ray**: Son of Bill Ray; described as identical to James Earl Ray.  
- **Reverend Floyd Brower**: Made statements suggesting the assassin came from Pensacola County, later retracted.  
- **Willard Benfield**, **Robert Boshers**, **Richard L. Brey**: Suspects investigated for potential connections to the assassination or look-alike claims.  
- **Donnie Leon Harden**: Military records reviewed as part of the investigation; Army serial number RA 24 553 268 noted.  
- **David Ernest Hawkins**: Served in the U.S. Army, had disciplinary actions, and his wife alleged domestic abuse.  
- **Thomas Robert Henderson**: Claimed to have killed MLK, stated he was wanted by the FBI and Mafia; no confirmation of involvement.  
- **Robert Dean James**: Identified as a look-alike for J. Edgar Hoover; questioned about potential ties to the assassination.  
- **Aaron Isaac Lotton**: Military service in World War II, received medals; no direct link to the case.  
- **Joseph M. Pritchett**: Navy records show misconduct and discharge; no evidence of involvement in the assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Primary location for business operations (Grapevine Tavern), lease agreements, investigative activities, and FBI contacts.  
- **Elvis, Missouri**: Residence of Delano Elmer Walker during reported threats against MLK.  
- **Elsberry, Missouri**: Area investigated for potential relatives of James Earl Ray.  
- **Forest City, Arkansas** and **Kansas City, Missouri**: Residences linked to Benny K. Pimston.  
- **Cape Girardeau, Missouri**: Site of a reported sighting of a man resembling James Earl Ray by Gene Orr.  
- **Fredericktown, Missouri**: Location where Melvin E. Deck provided information about Bill Ray’s family.  
- **Poplar Bluff, Missouri**: Residence of Reverend Floyd Brower; statements about the assassin’s origin.  
- **Columbus, Ohio** and **St. Louis, Missouri**: Locations of a Greyhound bus inspection for look-alike suspects.  
- **Kennett, Missouri** and **Benton Harbor, Michigan**: Additional locations mentioned in investigations.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**: Mentioned in the context of suspect inquiries.  
- **Fort Lauderdale, Florida**: Location of David Ernest Hawkins’ military service.  
- **Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C.**: Site of Aaron Isaac Lotton’s medical records.  
- **Hayti, Missouri**: Residence of Robert Dean James.  

Key Events  
- **Chattel mortgage records** (1968): Financial transactions involving the Ideal Draft Beer Cooler and Grapevine Tavern.  
- **Threats against MLK**: Reported by Delano Elmer Walker in 1965–1966, including an unidentified man offering money for his assassination.  
- **Benny K. Pimston’s file**: Includes arrest records, aliases, and connections to threats against MLK.  
- **James Earl Ray’s background check**: Involves parole officer records and alleged family ties in Elsberry, Missouri.  
- **FBI investigative actions**: Including photograph retrieval for Lawrence Donald Stouf and verification of Ray’s relatives.  
- **Investigation into James Earl Ray’s family** (April 1966–1968): Focus on relatives in Missouri; no further action taken.  
- **Reverend Floyd Brower’s statements** (April 1968): Claims about the assassin’s origin from Pensacola County, later retracted.  
- **Greyhound bus inspection** (April 19, 1968): For a look-alike of James Earl Ray traveling from Columbus, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **Investigation into Willard Benfield and Robert Boshers**: As potential suspects linked to the assassination or theft.  
- **Review of Donnie Leon Harden’s military records** (April 1968): Including his Army serial number RA 24 553 268.  
- **Domestic abuse allegations**: Wife of David Ernest Hawkins reported physical and verbal abuse.  
- **Suspect interrogations**: Thomas Robert Henderson claimed involvement in MLK’s assassination but was not confirmed by authorities.  
- **Military service records reviewed**: For potential ties to the assassination, including disciplinary actions and medals.  
- **FBI investigations**: Multiple suspects flagged or investigated; no conclusive evidence linked them to the crime.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into threats against MLK, financial records, and suspect profiles.  
- **State Liquor Control Office**: Involved in licensing processes for the Grapevine Tavern.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Provided information on Delano Elmer Walker’s activities.  
- **Missouri Training School for Men**: Where Delano Elmer Walker was incarcerated.  
- **Army Security Agency**: Mentioned in connection with Donnie Leon Harden’s military records.  
- **Greyhound Bus Lines**: Subject of inspection for a look-alike suspect traveling from Columbus, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **U.S. Army** and **Navy**: Reviewed personnel files for potential ties to the assassination.  
- **Veterans Administration Hospitals**: Maintained medical records for Robert L. Plunk (possibly linked to Aaron Isaac Lotton).  
- **Selective Service System**: Involved in draft registration and record reviews.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_009_ser_529_only-part_8_of_9.pdf

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