</s>44-561 CLASSIFICATION NO. Volume Number SERIALS Serial 529.0.0y.y. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FOT ADDED TO THIS FILED - - FIT of Juntie - - - - - - - - - - - FIT OF DESTROY - ASSENATIONS ASSENATION'S BUREAU - -- - - - - - - - - - - FIT Of Juntte - - - - - S1-SPRINGFIELD FIBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER S1 -S1:0044-00111-S1 -

Summary:  
The text comprises a fragmented collection of investigative records related to James Earl Ray, a suspect in the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and other individuals connected to criminal activities, prison escapes, and organized crime networks. The FBI investigation file #44-775 (May 10, 1968) details Ray’s alleged involvement in the MLK assassination, his criminal history, and associations with figures like John Gawron, Carol Pepper, and Jerry Ray. Additional entries reference surveillance efforts, property searches, credit checks, and interviews conducted by law enforcement agencies between 1966 and 1968. The documents also include administrative notes on declassification status (e.g., "2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176") and references to locations in Missouri, including St. Louis, Portageville, and Wardell.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central suspect in MLK’s assassination; convicted in 1969 for the crime.  
- **John Gawron**: Former Marine with criminal ties; claimed to have taught Ray burglary techniques.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of Ray; operated a tavern ("Grapevine") in St. Louis and was under investigation.  
- **Albert Pepper**: Carol’s brother; arrested for burglary in 1961.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Possibly Ray’s brother; involved in criminal activities and prison escapes.  
- **John RAYNES**: Father of James Earl Ray; had ties to ex-convict Walter E. Nolan.  
- **James David DAILY**: Alleged harboring of Ray on a Missouri farm; denied knowledge of his escape.  
- **Walter Ellsworth Nolan**: Ex-convict linked to John RAYNES; investigated for potential connections to Ray.  
- **Joseph Elmer Austin, Buddy Ratcolder, Carl Benton Drake, Everett Wayne Cox, Pete Smiley, Harold Maiden, Lillian Johnson, Grace Wise, J & R Auto Sales, Franklin Ray**: Other individuals referenced in records or surveillance activities.  

Key Locations:  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Primary location for Ray’s associates and criminal activities; includes addresses like 2025 Belleville, Maplewood, and 1886 Wyoming.  
- **Portageville, Missouri**: Mentioned in connection to John RAYNES.  
- **Wardell, Missouri**: Reference to a property search or investigation.  
- **Mac Arthur Hotel**: Noted in records; possibly linked to Ray’s movements.  

Key Events:  
- **Surveillance and Interviews**: FBI conducted toll call checks, credit record reviews, and interviews with suspects like Carol Pepper, John RAYNES, and James David DAILY (dates ranging from April 1968 to May 1968).  
- **Criminal Activities**: Ray’s involvement in burglaries, armed robberies, and prison escapes; Gawron claimed Ray never acted alone.  
- **Property Searches**: Investigations into vehicles, residences, and businesses linked to suspects (e.g., J & R Auto Sales).  
- **FBI Investigation File #44-775**: Focus on Ray’s movements, associates, and potential connections to the MLK assassination; no conclusive evidence was found by May 1968.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance, interviews, and record checks as part of the investigation.  
- **Police Departments**: Multiple references to local law enforcement agencies monitoring suspects.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company, Liberty Loan Company, Center State Bank**: Financial institutions mentioned in records or property searches.  
- **Military Personnel Records Center**: Referenced in background checks on individuals like John RAYNES.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_010_ser_529_only-part_1_of_9.pdf

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