</s>FD - 248 (REV. 413-60) 1572203 H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU of INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number 44-38861 Volume Number Sandra. RUC 12-10/26 Crocove 10-9/26 4-22/7/1/4 See also Nos. 1-7/14 See also No. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray's activities following his arrest in London on June 8, 1968, and his alleged connection to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ray was described as armed and dangerous, leading the FBI to discontinue active searches after his apprehension. The files include interviews with individuals such as Homer Lane Bigelow and Bridgeman, who provided information about Ray's movements in Kansas City, Missouri, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. References to MLK’s assassination are limited to a news clipping stating "Dr. King was killed by Men." FBI coordination with British authorities focused on extradition procedures, including discussions of Ray’s travel history and potential ties to civil rights activities in the U.S. Additional records mention Robert Dale Porter, who testified about Ray’s alleged escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967, interactions with prison staff, and a bank robbery in Alton, Illinois linked to his post-escape activities. Fragmented entries reference passport applications under false names, FBI coordination with RCMP, and unclear OCR errors.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (apprehended in London; central suspect in MLK’s assassination)  
- **Homer Lane Bigelow** (interviewed by FBI agents; provided details about Ray’s movements)  
- **Bridgeman** (described Ray’s activities in Kansas City and Minneapolis, including alleged connections to drug trafficking and civil rights figures)  
- **Robert Dale Porter** (witness who detailed Ray’s prison escape and interactions with inmates)  
- **George/Russell** (inmates allegedly involved with Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary)  
- **Neil Akey** (convict associated with Missouri State Penitentiary)  
- **John Deshazo** and **Vernon McGramp** (subjects of a separate FBI investigation involving car tracking)  
- **Robert Edward Byrne** (denied involvement in MLK’s assassination; business dealings with oil industry figures like Hal Hal and Ray Ryan)  

Key Locations:  
- **London, England** (Ray’s apprehension site; extradition proceedings)  
- **Kansas City, Missouri** (Bridgeman’s encounter with Ray)  
- **Minneapolis, Minnesota** (Bridgeman’s location)  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Ray’s alleged 1967 escape)  
- **Alton, Illinois** (bank robbery linked to Ray’s post-escape activities)  
- **Phantom Ranch, Arizona** and **Page Boy Hotel, Page, Arizona** (locations tied to Deshazo/McGraw investigation)  
- **Vernal, Utah** (part of tracking efforts for Deshazo/McGraw)  
- **Denver, Colorado** (base for FBI operations; Byrne’s business dealings)  
- **Acapulco, Mexico** (Byrne and Bigelow’s vacation destination)  

Key Events:  
- **FBI discontinues search for James Earl Ray** after his arrest in London on June 8, 1968.  
- **Interviews with Homer Lane Bigelow and Bridgeman** regarding Ray’s movements in Missouri and Minnesota.  
- **Robert Dale Porter’s testimony** about Ray’s alleged escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967, including interactions with prison staff and inmates.  
- **Bank robbery in Alton, Illinois** tied to Ray’s post-escape activities.  
- **FBI coordination with British authorities** on extradition procedures for Ray, including travel history analysis.  
- **Investigation into John Deshazo and Vernon McGramp**, involving car tracking and location efforts in Arizona and Utah.  
- **Robert Edward Byrne’s denial of involvement in MLK’s assassination**, citing no criminal ties or connections to civil rights figures.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (central agency conducting investigations, interviews, and extradition coordination)  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)** (involved in tracking Ray’s passport applications and movements)  
- **Bureau of Civil Rights** (coordinated with local law enforcement in Arizona and Utah for Deshazo/McGraw investigation)  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** and **Mississippi State Penitentiary** (prison systems involved in escape investigations)  
- **Denver Police Department** (linked to Robert Edward Byrne’s police records, including arrests for reckless driving and assault)  
- **Colorado State Patrol** (involved in tracking the Alabama license tag car associated with Deshazo/Gramp)

MLK Declassified Files

157-dn-203_617806_45-01-part_1_of_6.pdf

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