</s>- - 3 SL: 44-775 A search of the subject's room, located a .765 caliber-Belgium Browning Automatic Serial Number 57765 which contained one of the Clive A.C.A.G.R.G ., the chamber and five American Double Action, five shot revolver, the caliber revolver, "American Double-Action, Five shot revolver and the chamber revolver. 24" wide as also located and found in certain three live carridges as the cylinder. Upon questioning, JAMES EARL RAY admitted that he was the owner of these weapons and made the statement to the officers was was of these guns and made from the statement of the up. "RAY was the greatest weapon of the City Hospital for examination and found to be suffering from a laceration of examination was found to the suffering from the serious, and with no other apparent injuries. He was there for serious, with the Police Second individual involved in the burglary, the Police second where he was charged. JAMES OWENS, was conveyed directly from the place of apprehension to the St. Louis Police. The 1958 Plymouth sedan used in the commission of the robbery was determined to be the property of JAMES L. the robbery Was determined to the property by the commission off OWENS was towed away from the front of the Park Avenue address and was towed from the police. When questioned further at the District Station, OWENS stated he has been becomber at the district Station, about three months prior to the offense, having met him at the St. Louis Rescue Mission, located at 4023 Olive Street. Both evenually began speaking to each other, having with JAMES EARL RAT and eventually began speaking at each other. Pull a handout. OWENS advised that in the early p.m. of October 9, 1959, he and his RAY "cased" the store, which they eventually robbed on the following day. OWENS admitted that JAMES BARL RRAY had given him the sub-rose revolver which he had used in to the hold- up and that he had driven RAY to a place where he let RAY out of his 1958 automobile automobile which he used to a purpose of stealing a second automobile to use in the hold up. /11 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail multiple FBI and law enforcement investigations into James Earl Ray’s criminal history, associations, and potential connections to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A 1959 robbery case involving Ray and James Owens is noted, with Ray admitting ownership of a stolen firearm used in the crime. Ray’s prior convictions for robbery and escape attempts from Missouri, Illinois, and Mississippi prisons are highlighted. FBI inquiries focused on Ray’s interactions with inmates at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), including Walter E. Nolan and Carl Drake, who described him as a "loner" with no close associates but potentially capable of being hired for an assassination. While no direct links to MLK’s assassination were confirmed, investigations explored Ray’s prison associations, escape attempts, and alleged interest in legal research to secure release.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central suspect; convicted of robbery in 1959, with multiple prior convictions for theft and escape attempts from prisons in Missouri, Illinois, and Mississippi.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: Ex-convict and former inmate at MSP; denied knowledge of Ray’s activities or involvement in MLK’s assassination but described Ray as a "loner."  
- **Carl Drake**: Inmate who knew Ray; characterized him as a small-time robber potentially capable of being hired for an assassination without additional guidance.  
- **Orville Finest Gann**: Former MSP inmate; discussed Ray’s reputation for escape attempts and interactions with other prisoners but denied knowledge of assassination plots.  
- **Frank Maverley**: Inmate at MSP who later served time at Fordland Honor Camp; stated no awareness of Ray’s involvement in assassination plans.  
- **John Edward Johnson**: Inmate at MSP who knew Ray but claimed no discussions about MLK or antagonistic remarks.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Central location for Ray’s incarceration and interactions with inmates like Nolan, Drake, Gann, and Maverley.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Site of Ray’s 1959 robbery case, FBI interviews, and Nolan’s residence/workplace (Heritage House Restaurant).  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Home of MSP and associated facilities like Fordland Honor Camp.  
- **Cape Girardeau, Missouri**: Location of Carl Drake’s residence and related investigations.  

Key Events  
- **1959 Robbery Case**: Ray and James Owens robbed a Kroger Store on October 10, 1959; both were arrested for robbery with a deadly weapon and operating an unlicensed vehicle.  
- **FBI Investigations**: Explored Ray’s prison associations, escape attempts, and potential ties to assassination plots, including inquiries into his interactions with inmates like Nolan and Drake.  
- **Ray’s Escape Attempts**: Multiple inmates noted his history of attempting to flee MSP, including a reported escape in 1968.  
- **Inmate Testimonies**: Discussions about Ray’s reputation as a "cynical" individual interested in legal research for release, alongside prison gossip about potential monetary incentives for assassinations.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s associations, escape attempts, and potential links to assassination plots.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Central facility where Ray was incarcerated; other inmates and staff provided information on his behavior and interactions.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Provided records on Nolan’s criminal history and Ray’s 1959 robbery case.  
- **Commercial Credit Rating Company**: Checked financial information on Walter Nolan.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_03-01-part_4_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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