</s>FD-302 (Rev. 1-25-60) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. Date: June 5, 1968 1 Mrs. ALBERT (CAROL) PEPPER, 2025 Bellevue, Maplewood, Missouri, advised that she had received no additional information whatsoever bearing on the possible location of her brother, JAMES EARL BARL, since she was last interviewed. Inquiry was made of Mrs. PEPPERS as to whether, in the event she should receive some pertinent information regarding her brother. She would furnish such information to the Federing her brother and she would have no expectations whatsoever that then stated that she would HAVE to see in any way, whatever that her brother would communicate with her in any ways, pointing her brother could communicate with no other way, prompting unpublished telephone-number. She added any way she felt that he did not believe that he could expect any help she had and she interested or willing to help him as she did not want herself and particularly her children to be in any that she wanted her and she and she could be her husband to be as she not involved with of his son. She should be in her way not convinced information to the FBI. It was pointed out to Mrs. PEPPER that in the event RAY should be innocent or there should be any information to she should be aware of the extent be most readily resolved through locating RAY at the earliest possible time. Mrs.PEPPER expressed understanding and agree- ment with this idea. Inquiring was made as Mrs. Pepper as to her whereabouts and activities was made at the period between April and July, 1967. She said she was living at that period of time with July, 1966. husband and two children at 7/12-a. She said that she was a part of the time with her husband and about two children about Sheezarda, St. Louis. She reading about July 1, 1967, and she was employed as a reading about two years ago at the same time as a teacher's aide or assistant teacher in the "Head Start Program" at St. Joseph's School located at Twelfth and Russell Streets, at St .: Joseph's school located in Twelfth in Russell Streets. that period on Monday through Friday, p.m. each week, during the hours of 8:00 a.m ., 4:00 to 4:30 p.ch. each day. This work involved the teaching of children three to five years of age. She was employed in this work by the Catholic Archdiocese on 6/5/68 St. Louis, Missouri <loc_312><loc_849>On 6/6/58 SL: 44-775 SA ALBERTY J. RUSHING SA HOWARD C. KENNEDY A.R.J.JfJb 6/65/68 by

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray (JER), his brother John Larry Ray (JLR), and their connections to financial transactions, travel patterns, and potential involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). JER escaped Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967 and was arrested in London, England, in June 1968. FBI agents interviewed JLR, who claimed JER had limited funds post-release and engaged in car trading, short-term employment, and travel to Florida, California, Mexico, and possibly Atlanta. Financial records show JER opened a checking account at Jefferson-Gravois Bank in St. Louis with $1,350 in August 1967, followed by multiple withdrawals between August 1967 and May 1968. Naomi Regazzi, a former employee of the Grape Vine Tavern (owned by JLR), reported JER’s employment and described him as having low intellect. JLR also mentioned Jim Owens, an associate linked to a 1959 Kroger Store hold-up, whom he claimed was responsible for MLK’s assassination. Jerry Ray, another sibling, denied involvement in the murder and stated his brother had no contact with him during specified periods. FBI records include rental agreements, bank transactions, and interviews with individuals such as Kurt Nasser (Chicago property owner) and MILFORD ROEHRS (Sullivan, Missouri police officer and KKK member). A 1968 Dodge Dart recovered at Lambert-St. Louis Airport was linked to stolen credit cards used in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; escaped Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967, arrested in London, England, in June 1968.  
- **John Larry Ray (JLR)**: Brother of JER; owned Grape Vine Tavern in St. Louis; claimed JER had limited funds post-release and engaged in travel to Florida, California, Mexico, and possibly Atlanta.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of JLR; reported no contact with JER since 1966; lived at 2025 Bellevue, Maplewood, Missouri.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of JER; denied involvement in MLK’s assassination; stated JER had no contact with him during specified periods.  
- **Naomi Regazzi**: Former employee of Grape Vine Tavern; described JER as having low intellect and claimed he had no contact with his brother, Jim Ray (escaped prisoner).  
- **Jim Owens**: Associated with 1959 Kroger Store hold-up; JLR claimed Owens was responsible for MLK’s assassination.  
- **Kurt Nasser**: Chicago property owner who rented to Black tenants; interviewed by FBI regarding potential connections to suspects.  
- **MILFORD ROEHRS**: Sullivan, Missouri police officer and KKK member; denied knowledge of James Earl Ray prior to MLK’s assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home to Jefferson-Gravois Bank, Grape Vine Tavern, 1982 Arsenal Street, 1822 North Twenty-first Street, and 1912 California Avenue.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Property rented by JER in 1967 per Rengell Realty Company records.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Location of property owned by Kurt Nasser; mentioned in FBI interviews.  
- **Center, Missouri**: Mentioned as a destination for Jerry Ray during his travels.  
- **Sullivan, Missouri**: Home to MILFORD ROEHRS (KKK member) and William Nethington (private investigator).  
- **Lambert-St. Louis Airport**: Site of 1968 Dodge Dart recovery linked to stolen credit cards used in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Key Events  
- **Escape from Missouri State Penitentiary (1967)**: JER fled the facility; Carol Pepper learned of this through media reports weeks later.  
- **Arrest of James Earl Ray in London (June 1968)**: Reported by Carol Pepper via a friend, with limited local press coverage.  
- **Financial transactions at Jefferson-Gravois Bank**: JER opened an account on August 30, 1967, with $1,350; multiple withdrawals between August 1967 and May 1968.  
- **Interviews with John Larry Ray (May–June 1968)**: Discussed JER’s travel to Florida, California, Mexico, and financial activities.  
- **Investigation into Jim Owens**: JLR claimed Owens was responsible for MLK’s assassination; Owens was linked to a 1959 Kroger Store hold-up.  
- **Recovery of stolen 1968 Dodge Dart**: Found at Lambert-St. Louis Airport in May 1968, tied to stolen credit cards used in Atlanta, Georgia.  
- **FBI interviews with Jerry Ray and others**: Included denials of involvement in MLK’s assassination and inquiries into property rentals and tenant records.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted multiple interviews and investigations into JER, JLR, and related individuals.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank**: Handled financial transactions for JER; verified signature against Manufacturers Bank records.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company**: Confirmed JER’s signature on account records.  
- **Rengell Realty Company**: Provided rental records indicating JER rented property in Los Angeles, California, in 1967.  
- **Ku Klux Klan (KKK)**: MILFORD ROEHRS was identified as a member; his involvement in the investigation is noted but not directly tied to MLK’s assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_06-02-part_5_of_6.pdf

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