</s>tape to sistety lavendag. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into laundry marking systems, stolen vehicles, and potential connections to James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Federal agents focused on identifying red laundry tags, thermo-seal markings, and specific codes like "028-6" or "20R-3" used by laundries in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and other Southern states. These inquiries aimed to trace clothing linked to a suspect in the MLK case, with agents contacting establishments such as Central City Cleaners, Snow-White Laundry, and Alexander City Laundry. Investigations also extended to financial institutions, stolen vehicles (e.g., gray Volkswagen with license plate 3-17239), and records of individuals like Eric Starvo Galt, Billy Joe Faulkner, and James Earl Ray. The FBI coordinated efforts across multiple field offices, including Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta, to track suspects and their associations with criminal activities or extremist groups like the United Klans of America (UKA).  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified as a suspect in MLK’s assassination and linked to unsolved crimes post-April 1967.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Connected to Faulkner and potentially associated with Ray; involved in threats against family members.  
- **Billy Joe Faulkner**: Former mental health worker in Florida, alleged UKA member (1965–1968), and linked to Galt.  
- **Joseph Mickinson**: Laundromat owner at Snow-White Laundry who discussed marking systems.  
- **James Burton, James Neighbors, Russell Mills**: Individuals associated with laundries and codes under investigation.  
- **SA Dexter A. Maddox, SA John C. McClunney**: FBI agents involved in tracking laundry tags and suspect records.  
- **J. Robert Sins**: Assistant Postal Inspector in Chattanooga, TN; tracked stolen forms.  
- **Mrs. Francis Godwin**: Faulkner’s sister, provided details on his incarceration and threats.  

Key Locations  
- **Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, Auburn, Opelika, Enterprise, Elba, Andalusia, Covington County, Coventry County, Alabama** – Cities and counties where laundries and dry cleaners were contacted.  
- **Geneva, Brookley Air Force Base, Thomasville, Mobile, Memphis, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Louisiana** – Additional locations referenced in investigations.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** – Ray’s last known location before April 5, 1968.  
- **Dallas, Texas** – Faulkner’s residence and incarceration site.  

Key Events  
- **April 10–12, 1968**: FBI agents contacted laundries in Alabama to check for red tags or thermo-seal markings linked to the MLK case.  
- **April 11, 1968**: Joseph Mickinson at Snow-White Laundry confirmed he did not use specific markings like "028-6."  
- **April 12–15, 1968**: Investigations expanded to financial institutions, stolen vehicles (e.g., gray Volkswagen with license plate 3-17239), and records of suspects like Harvey Lomeyer and Eric Starvo Galt.  
- **Post-April 1967**: FBI tracked James Earl Ray’s movements and associations with criminal activities, including unsolved bank robberies.  
- **1965–1968**: Billy Joe Faulkner alleged membership in the United Klans of America (UKA).  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted investigations into laundry tags, stolen vehicles, and suspect records.  
- **Central City Cleaners, Dinky’s Cleaners, Snow-White Laundry, Quality Laundry and Dry Cleaning** – Laundries contacted for marking systems.  
- **Alexander City Laundry, Young's Laundry, Empire Roise Cleaners** – Additional laundries referenced in code investigations.  
- **United Klans of America (UKA)** – Faulkner’s alleged membership from 1965–1968.  
- **State Selective Service Headquarters, Montgomery, Alabama** – Provided records for FBI investigations.  
- **U.S. Postal Inspection Service** – Involved in tracking stolen forms and potential connections to Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_26-05-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search