</s>ME 44-1987 TON:it:jm JOSEPH ADAMS currently incarcerated at the Illinois State Penitentiary was accounted with JAMES EARL RAY at the Missouri State Penitentialary, ADAMS left the pontitentiary in October, 1967. RAY brought food to the hospital where ADAMS was working and as assumed RAY worked in the prison kitchen, He described him as a quiet individual, but he never talked directly to him or did he ever observe with him any other limates. LEO BARNETT currently incarcerated AT the Florida State Prison, Raiford, Florida, knew JAMES BARL RAY in the Missouri state Prison from about 1962 until August 1, 1966. He met him through BILLY MILES, recently at the new Penitentiary, hereby. RAY never said much, did not bother anybody. was a loser. Ray never said such, did no mention and a definite mental problem. He was taking powdered amphetamine while in prison and would suffer weight losses and gains of 10 to 15 pounds over short periods of time. BARNETT stated that apathetic taken in quantities would produce a substantial rapid weight loss. The amphetamine supply, prior to 1964, was $5 a shot or less and after 1964, although the supply was limited, it still sold for the same price. 46 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented testimonies and records related to James Earl Ray’s incarceration, criminal activities, and alleged connections to events surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Inmates at Missouri State Penitentiary and Leavenworth Penitentiary described Ray as a loner with ties to drug trafficking, prison escapes, and potential involvement in violent acts. Accounts include Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary, discussions of a $100,000 reward for MLK’s assassination, and his alleged travel plans to Mexico or Canada. Some inmates noted Ray’s use of amphetamines, interactions with other prisoners like Carl Drake and Walter Nolan, and his disinterest in Black individuals. Testimonies also mention Ray’s criminal history, including burglary, forgery, and theft, as well as associations with figures like Eric Starvo Galt and Rita Stein. Discrepancies in accounts, such as Calvin Bookman’s disputed 1968 phone call claim, highlight inconsistencies in the records.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner, drug user, escape planner, and suspect in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Carl Drake**: Inmate who worked with Ray in the prison bakery and claimed he discussed plans to kill MLK.  
- **Walter Nolan**: Inmate who walked with Ray daily and noted his distrust of other prisoners.  
- **Calvin Bookman**: Leavenworth inmate who alleged a 1968 phone call from Ray requesting money, though inconsistencies cast doubt on the claim.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Linked to Rita Stein; described as a man with ties to New Orleans and political affiliations.  
- **Rita Stein**: Traveler with Galt to New Orleans; involved in registering for the George Wallace political party.  
- **Howard Nunn** (inmate #66889): Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who interacted with Ray post-escape.  
- **James Owens**: Inmate who knew Ray from St. Louis Rescue Mission; described his criminal activities and travel habits.  
- **Robert Powell**: Inmate who noted Ray’s escape planning but denied any connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Donald Dean Rigger**: Inmate who mentioned Ray’s potential identity changes in Mexico and narcotics use.  
- **James D. Wallace**: Claimed to have seen Ray at a bank in 1968, though this was later contested.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Primary prison where Ray was incarcerated; multiple inmates described interactions with him here.  
- **Leavenworth Penitentiary, Kansas**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and interactions with inmates like Bookman and Rite.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Mentioned as a city where Ray had ties and where Owens met him.  
- **Mexico**: Referenced in discussions about Ray’s travel and potential identity changes.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Noted as a location for Galt’s alleged business dealings and travel routes.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Associated with Galt’s stays at the St. Francis Hotel.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary**: Multiple inmates discussed his planning and possible assistance.  
- **Discussions of bounties for MLK’s life**: Some inmates mentioned Ray’s potential interest in such a bounty, though none confirmed it directly.  
- **Ray’s criminal activities**: Described as a thief, burglar, and user of narcotics, with ties to smuggling operations within the prison.  
- **1955 arrests**: Ray and Walter Terry Rite were incarcerated together after purchasing stolen money orders.  
- **December 1967 trip**: Rita Stein and Galt traveled to New Orleans, where they registered for the George Wallace political party.  
- **April 1968 phone call**: Bookman claimed to have received a call from Ray, though inconsistencies in his account cast doubt on its credibility.  

Key Organizations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central institution where Ray was incarcerated and interacted with inmates.  
- **Leavenworth Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and interactions with inmates like Bookman and Rite.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Assigned Ray the number 465 942 G; maintained fingerprint records.  
- **Local police departments** (e.g., Los Angeles PD, Chicago PD): Involved in arrests for burglary, robbery, forgery, and vagrancy.  
- **George Wallace Political Party**: Mentioned as a group associated with Galt and Stein’s activities.  
- **U.S. Postal Inspection Service**: Linked to Ray’s alleged drug and loan shark operations during incarceration.

MLK Declassified Files

44-wfo-703_742153_10-02-part_2_of_5.pdf

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