</s>104-1007-10387 2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 SECRET. 2 MAY 1968 MECORADIUM FOR: Director Federal Bureau of Investigation SUBJECT Dr. Martin Latier KING, Jr. 1. Reference is made to this Agency's out message number 94270 dated 25 April 1968 concerning the assassl- nation Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ., 2. On 16 April Roderick Claflin BROWN, a Panamanian national born born in July 1917 in British Honduras, a voluntarily appeared at the Department of National Investigations (DENI) of the Republic of Panama and signed a deposition, the highlights of which are as follows: (1) On 26 October 1962 he served as cook/seaman above the Texas S.S. Southampton which docked at Mobile, Alabama. (2) While on 26 October 1963 he served to the Mobile airport on the morning of 26 October 1952 in the company of two fellow Panamanians season, he was approached by Marvin P. LITTLELL, owner of LITTLEILL Motor Co ., 921-25 South Clinton Street, Athens, Alabama, after after asserting BROWN was a Panamanican seamans, asked if he knew of Dr. Martin Luther KING, Jr .. (3) LITTLLLL insured whether BROWN has interested in employment, the details of which were unspecified. He went on to describe Dr. KING as "Our greatest problem he is causing us much trouble. He gave BROWN a business card to use in the event he was interested in pursuing the employ- ment offer. (4) On 28 28 January 1963 BROWN wrote LITTRELL from New York City, stating he was interested in a job and SECRET 09858 fie Ray

Summary  
This document details an investigation into potential connections between Roderick Claflin Brown, a Panamanian national, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Brown, born in July 1917 in British Honduras (now Belize), appeared at the Department of National Investigations (DENI) of Panama in April 1968. His deposition outlines interactions with Marvin P. Littlell, owner of LITTLELL Motor Co., in Mobile, Alabama, during October 1963. Brown claimed Littlell approached him while he was working as a cook/seaman on the Texas S.S. Southampton in October 1962 and later offered employment related to Dr. King, providing a business card. Brown corresponded with Littlell in January 1963, requesting $75 for travel to Mobile, but questioned the legitimacy of the job offer after learning bus fares were cheaper. He dismissed the matter until Dr. King's assassination in April 1968 and returned to Panama in 1964. Enclosures include copies of Littlell’s letter and Brown’s deposition, along with its Spanish-language version.  

Key People  
- Roderick Claflin Brown: Panamanian national, born July 1917 in British Honduras; appeared at DENI in April 1968.  
- Marvin P. Littlell: Owner of LITTLELL Motor Co., based in Athens, Alabama; allegedly offered employment related to Dr. King.  

Key Locations  
- Mobile, Alabama: Site of Brown’s work on the Texas S.S. Southampton and his meeting with Littlell.  
- Panama City, Panama: Location of DENI where Brown provided his deposition.  
- New York City: Where Brown corresponded with Littlell in January 1963.  

Key Events  
- October 1962: Brown served as cook/seaman on the Texas S.S. Southampton in Mobile, Alabama.  
- October 1963: Brown met Marvin P. Littlell in Mobile, who allegedly offered employment related to Dr. King.  
- January 1963: Brown wrote to Littlell from New York City requesting $75 for travel to Mobile.  
- February 1963: Littlell replied questioning the need for travel due to cheaper bus fares.  
- April 1968: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee; Brown dismissed earlier suspicions about the job offer until this event.  
- 1964: Brown returned to Panama.  

Key Organizations  
- Department of National Investigations (DENI): Panamanian agency where Brown provided his deposition.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Agency referenced in the document’s header, with involvement in the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

00549444_dr_martin_luther_king_j_104-10071-10387.pdf

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