Ray J is a free man ... at least for now -- after posting a $50K bond and beelining it to the bail bondsman.

The entertainer was seen leaving a Los Angeles-area jail Thursday afternoon with his entourage in tow ... just hours after he was taken into custody and booked on a charge of making a criminal threat. Gallery Launch Gallery Backgrid

Ray -- dressed in an all black 'fit -- kept his head down and took a call as he walked out, showing no interest in answering any questions. Instead, a man identifying himself as Ray J's manager did all the talking, telling the pap Ray called him from inside and he came right over to get him out.

Soon after, Ray J was photographed outside a bail bonds office -- cigarette in hand -- looking like he was trying to take the edge off after a chaoti

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