</s>SL: 44-775 OWENS learned that RAY was an excellent shot and that RAY sometimes went to secluded spots for target shooting. OWENS once went with some somewhere in Illinois for target target shooting, at which RAY had with him and his 38 caliber shooting was extremely expert and could shoot at a caliber that RAV was extremely rare and could shot at an unknown and keep it bouncing by firing at it and hitting it at a repeatably before it stopped rolling. RAY was in association with RAY in 1959 OWENS learners that in association with who did not drink beer and whose favorite drinker, who did NOT drink beer or whose favorite drink in bourbon highballs. OWENS knows of no particular tavern where RAY frequented but observed that RAY usually drank at taverns in the vicinity of Sarah and Owen usually drank in taverns of the vicinity when the victim of the Mission where in St. Louis, which was in the victimity of the the Mission. OWENS observed that RAV had no employment during this time was was obviously a professional thief who apparently pulled mainly robberies and occasionally some burglarlies. OWENS characters RAY as a "pistol man." RAY was definitely characterized RAY is a "Pistol Man." RAV In conversations, OWENS learned from RAY that RAT had served a Federal sentence following a theft of money orders with another man and it appeared from comments made by RAY that he has instructed other people and would not go on jobs with another person. RAY impressed OWENS as having sympathy for common people and for the working man and RAY expressed a philosophy that he would only hit places of businesses such as would probably be covered by insurance. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray's alleged involvement in criminal activities, including bank robberies and potential connections to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It includes statements from informants describing Ray’s criminal history, such as a 1959 bank robbery in St. Louis with accomplices, his escape from prison in April 1967, and financial transactions linked to accounts at Jefferson-Gravois Bank. FBI agents interviewed individuals like Carol Pepper (Ray’s sister), John Larry Ray (owner of the Grape Vine Tavern), and former inmates such as Donald Garfield Cox, who described interactions with Ray during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary. The text also references bank records from Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company, including accounts linked to JAMES CARL O’CONNOR and JAMES L. OWENS, though these were not directly tied to the MLK assassination investigation.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Central figure; suspected assassin of MLK Jr., described as a skilled shooter, professional thief, and participant in bank robberies.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of John Larry Ray and James Earl Ray; reported her brother’s plans to travel to London for JER.  
- **John Larry Ray**: Brother of JER; owned the Grape Vine Tavern in St. Louis.  
- **Donald Garfield Cox**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960–1963); described interactions with JER and other inmates.  
- **Howard C. Kennedy** and **Patrick W. Bradley**: FBI agents involved in contacting John Ray and coordinating surveillance efforts.  
- **CHRIS CONDON**: Individual observed surveilling Carol Pepper’s home.  
- **Joseph Stahlschmidt**: Auditor at Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company; provided signature card details for JAMES CARL O’CONNOR.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Central location for FBI interviews, bank transactions, and Ray’s criminal activities (e.g., Grape Vine Tavern).  
- **Alton, Illinois**: Site of a 1959 bank robbery referenced in planning discussions.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Where JER was incarcerated from 1963 to 1965 and where Donald Garfield Cox was formerly held.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank** (St. Louis): Financial institution linked to accounts under JAMES L. OWENS and JAMES CARL O’CONNOR.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company** (St. Louis): Provided records for JAMES CARL O’CONNOR’s account.  

Key Events  
- **1959 Bank Robbery in St. Louis**: Described as a robbery involving JER and accomplices, with details about stolen license plates and concealed parking.  
- **JER’s Escape from Prison (April 1967)**: Mentioned in FBI inquiries, including his alleged travel to London, England.  
- **FBI Surveillance and Interviews**: Agents coordinated surveillance of Carol Pepper’s home and interviewed former inmates like Cox and Brannen about JER’s associations.  
- **Bank Account Activity**: Jefferson-Gravois Bank records showed deposits and withdrawals for John Ray’s account between August 1967 and April 1968, including large transactions.  
- **FD-302 Forms (May–June 1968)**: FBI documentation detailing interactions with individuals connected to JER, including Pepper’s statements about his travel plans.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into JER’s movements, financial activities, and potential ties to the MLK assassination.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of JER’s incarceration and interactions with inmates like Cox.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company**: Provided financial records for JAMES CARL O’CONNOR.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank**: Maintained records for accounts linked to JAMES L. OWENS and John Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_06-01-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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