</s>4 SL: 44-775 Both automobiles were then driven to the intersection of Indiana and Potomac Streets in St. Louis. The stolen car, of the previously mentioned Ford, was then driven by the scene of the crime, and the store was entered by both men. RAY proceeded to a small office located in the front of the store, where he pointed the automatic pistol in the carrying store, at the man in the office the front door where he was safe. OWENS, who was the owner of the police department, opened the as a look-out and, according to OWENS' left door revolver in his coat pocket. OWNS stated that the front doorway where he acted his officer was not allowed to get the pistol at a woman's cashier, ordered her after a shot aside, and then reached into the open cash drawer, removing an unknown sum of currency. Both men cash cash and sore and departed in the stolen Ford automobile. to RAY'S home in OWENS'. 1958 Plymouth. A switch was thereafter made and both men then drove to RAV'S house in OWEN'S' 1958 Plymouth, Upon arrival, they proceeded to the bathroom of RAY's home where OWENS returned RAYS' revolver and RAY gave OWENS $60.00 in ST. O'NE'S returned RAV's. Constituited OWENS's share of the money taken in the robbery. OWEN's then left RAY 'S residence and proceeded to his automobile where he has placed under arrest. RAY, when interviewed, refused to make any statement, but OWENS was interviewed, notified to make an attempt, man who had viewed him and positively identified him as the him in the commission of the hold-up. Both individuals were thereafter charged with robbery with a deadly weapon and operating an automobile without the owner's consent. An additional charge of resisting arrest was placed against RAY. The St. St. Louise Police Department, Bureau of Records, had no information on JAMES EARL RAY, but the report reflects 112 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and law enforcement investigations into James Earl Ray’s criminal history, associations, and movements prior to and following his alleged involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ray’s 1959 robbery in St. Louis, Missouri, involved him and Owen, who were arrested for stealing a Ford automobile and robbing a store. Both men faced charges including robbery with a deadly weapon and operating an unlicensed vehicle. Ray had prior convictions, including a 1951 Chicago robbery and a 1955 federal forgery charge. Investigations explored Ray’s residence at 2023 Park Avenue in St. Louis, his alleged trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in 1967 (where he stayed at the Rio Hotel), and connections to Walter E. Nolan, a former prisoner with financial ties in Wellston, Missouri. FBI inquiries also examined prison records of inmates like Carl Drake and James Fletcher, who reported Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in June 1967. Interviews with Walter E. Nolan in April 1968 revealed he denied knowledge of Ray’s escape or involvement in any plots against King, though he acknowledged their shared incarceration. No direct evidence linking Ray to the assassination was found in these records.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; convicted of robbery in 1959 and had prior criminal records.  
- **Owen**: Partner in the 1959 St. Louis robbery, arrested with Ray.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: Former prisoner linked to Ray through indirect associations; resided in St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **Carl Drake**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who knew Ray and provided details about his personality.  
- **James Fletcher**: Inmate who reported rumors of Ray’s 1967 escape from prison.  
- **Orville Ernest Gann**: MSP inmate who denied knowledge of assassination plots against King.  
- **Frank Maberry**: Inmate at MSP; later incarcerated for murder, denied awareness of Ray’s involvement in any plot.  
- **John Edward Johnson**: MSP inmate who knew Ray but reported no antagonistic remarks or knowledge of assassination plans.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Sites of the 1959 robbery and Ray’s residence at 2023 Park Avenue; location of FBI interviews with Nolan.  
- **Puerto Vallarta, Mexico**: Location of the Rio Hotel where Ray allegedly stayed in 1967.  
- **Wellston, Missouri**: Bank associated with Walter E. Nolan’s financial records.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)**: Institution where Ray and other inmates were incarcerated; site of prison record checks.  
- **Moberly, Missouri**: Location of the Missouri Training School for Men, where some inmate records were reviewed.  

Key Events  
- **1959**: Robbery in St. Louis by Ray and Owen; both arrested for theft and operating an unlicensed vehicle.  
- **June 1967**: Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary, reported by inmates like James Fletcher.  
- **April 26, 1968**: FBI interview with Walter E. Nolan regarding Ray’s escape and potential ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- **April–May 1968**: FBI investigations into Ray’s associates, including checks of commercial records, prison files, and inmate interviews.  
- **FBI inquiries**: Reviews of prison records for inmates like Carl Drake, Frank Maberry, and John Edward Johnson to assess potential connections to Ray.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, background checks, and record reviews on suspects and associates.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Investigated Ray’s residence and movements in St. Louis; conducted fingerprint comparisons.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Institution where Ray and other inmates were incarcerated; provided records for FBI inquiries.  
- **Missouri Training School for Men**: Facility where some inmate records were reviewed as part of the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_010_ser_529_only-part_4_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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