</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 16 MAY 1/3 EDITION. USA (PPM) (CPM) 18-14 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum SAC, DENVER (157-203) TO : DATE: April 24, 1968 FROM : WILLIAM JOHN SPRING SUBJECT: MURKIN On this date at 3:50 pm, MR. ALLEN ASHTON, Westland Industrial Bank, 11,1199 W. Colfax Ave. Lakewood, Colorado, 237-0165, telephoneally advised that this is not PDIC insured, we would be advised to pay at least one time. MR. ASHTION further advised that yesterday, 1/23/68, at about 8:00 am, we observed an unknown individual in a white 1962 or 963 Pontiac Bonneville, He also known for Florida License, parked just outside the bank. He stated that he believed that this individual would be waiting for the bank to open, ressembled JAMES EARL RAY. He stated that the notified the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office immediately concerning the matter and an office came to the scene and followed him to the First National Bank of Westland, Westeland Shopping Center, Lakewood. Colorado. the state of Westeland, Westlake Shopping Center. Lakeview, Colorado. that they checked him out and could find nothing wrong. MR. AASHTON wished to advise our office of the resemblance and stated that Jefferson County so would have further info, including possibly the name and his license number. 157-20-3/9 WJ/J8 (3) Karis Bory Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan S&T-104-4 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) efforts to investigate James Earl Ray’s connection to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Key findings include fingerprint discrepancies between Ray’s records and Missouri State Prison files, leading to a correction notice from the FBI. The Bureau prioritized leads on prior threats against King and Ray’s motive/location. A teletype directive from Memphis emphasized urgent investigation into Ray and potential conspirators. Additional documents reference laundry markings linked to a suspect in Culver City, California, and coordination with U.S. Consul in Hong Kong for information exchange. Mexican authorities briefly detained an individual resembling Ray due to his appearance. The FBI highlighted Ray’s armed status and danger, urging law enforcement action.  

Key People  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (assassination victim)  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in assassination; convicted of murder in 1969)  
- FBI agents (including Director Jack Foster, Special Agents In Charge)  
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) personnel  
- Missouri State Prison officials  
- Harold J. Swanson (arrested in Mexico, linked to King’s case)  
- ADA Riddle (landlord with information on Ray’s associates)  
- Walter Terry Riff (possibly a typo for "Rife")  
- Elmer Joseph Drieling and Tom Goodman (associates of Amick Transfer and Storage Company)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI headquarters, Lorraine Motel, teletype directives)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (GBI involvement)  
- Denver, Colorado (FBI office, fingerprint discrepancies)  
- Sacramento, California (sighting report by Robert E. Dinkins)  
- Culver City, California (laundry marking investigation)  
- Mexico (detention of individual resembling Ray)  
- Hong Kong (U.S. Consul’s role in information exchange)  

Key Events  
- Fingerprint mix-up between FBI and Missouri State Prison records for James Earl Ray  
- FBI review of King’s case files and prioritization of leads on prior threats  
- Teletype directives to SACs emphasizing urgent investigation into Ray and conspirators  
- Coordination with U.S. Consul in Hong Kong for information on suspects  
- Efforts to trace laundry markings linked to a suspect in Culver City  
- Mexican authorities detaining an individual resembling Ray due to his appearance  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)  
- Missouri State Prison  
- Federal Intelligence Team (FIT)  
- U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong

MLK Declassified Files

157-dn-203_617806_43-03-part_5_of_7.pdf

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