</s>APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2025 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14176 OFFICIAL FORM NO. 19 801-104 GALAXY EDITION, 17 UNITED STATES CO. RMERMENT Deloach Meth Memorandum SECRET Carson Carson Carson Carson TO : Mr. Rosep DATE: April 20, 1968 Sallivan Sallivans Tolleson Tollson FROM 1 - Mr. Rosen C. L. McCowall 1 -Mr. Malley Tolles Holleson 1 - Mrs. McGowan SURJECT MURKIN 1 - MR. McDonald 1 - M. Long 1 -Mrs. McDonald 1 -M. McDonald (Domestic Intelligence Division) Extra-Duty Supervisor William J. McDowell, Domestic Intelligence Division, furnished the following information to Special Agent John J. Boyd, 4-20-68: John Kennedy, Duty Officer, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), phone at 5:45 p.m. - 4-40-68, and advised that CIA Headquarters received a message from its station in Bogota, Colombia at 3:43 p. m ., today. CIA, Colombia, was advised by the local liaison service station to at Bogota Airport that a U.S. national national bearing a striking resemblance to Eric Starvo Gal arrived Bogota (1:20 a.m.) (Bogota time) on Varg Flight Number 810 from Los Angeles (5) The Bogota Police put the national under surveillance taking him to the Teguena Hotel where he put up in room528. On arrival U.S national advised the Immigration Service that his name is Edwim Mason, U. S. national, aged 35, passport number P75751, occupation Excursion Director(s) APPRM-1955 CASIFIED BY SWEET/FAX CASSIFIED ON SSX. Immigration authorities noted that he has deep wrinkles or possible scar, center forehead. Mason advised immigration Authorities, BogOTA, he intended to depart for Quito to 4-22-68. Local police/2338 continuing surveillance. EX-105 REC-23 CIA requested Mason's identity and passport number: 30 1968 verified at Los Angeles; also requested fingerprint classification of<loc_144><loc_786><loc_828><loc_783><loc_828><loc_801>Galt so so can be forwarded CIA station Bogota and furnished local police. Mr. Kenney can be reached at telephone number 351-5555 or

Summary:  
The document details an intelligence memorandum from April 20, 1968, involving a U.S. national named Edwim Mason, who arrived in Bogota, Colombia, on Varg Flight Number 810 from Los Angeles on April 4, 1968. Upon arrival, Mason reported to immigration authorities as an excursion director aged 35 with passport number P75751. He was placed under surveillance by Bogota police and lodged at the Teguena Hotel in room 528. Immigration noted his appearance included deep wrinkles or a possible scar on the center forehead. The CIA requested verification of Mason’s identity, passport details, and fingerprint classification for comparison with James Earl Ray’s records. The Los Angeles Office was instructed to investigate Mason’s background and passport information.  

Key People:  
- Edwim Mason (U.S. national, excursion director)  
- James Earl Ray (individual whose identity and fingerprints were compared to Mason)  
- John Kennedy (CIA Duty Officer)  
- William J. McDowell (Domestic Intelligence Division supervisor)  
- Special Agent John J. Boyd  

Key Locations:  
- Bogota Airport (Colombia)  
- Teguena Hotel (Bogota, Colombia)  
- Los Angeles (U.S.)  

Key Events:  
- Arrival of Edwim Mason in Bogota on April 4, 1968  
- Surveillance and lodging at Teguena Hotel  
- CIA request for identity verification and fingerprint classification  
- Instruction to Los Angeles Office to investigate Mason’s background  

Key Organizations:  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Immigration Service (Bogota)  
- Domestic Intelligence Division (U.S.)

MLK Declassified Files

06556318_murkin_april_20_1968.pdf

Document Summary

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