</s>F.D. 245 (REV. 413.60) H. S. Bequrtment nr Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE MOVED FROM OF ADDED TO THIS FILE) CLASSIFICATION OF THE U.S.A. DO NOT DESTROY, HIST. HIST: ALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES FEDERAL BUREAU X FOT DESTROY ORIGAL VALUE of NATIONAL ACHIVES INVESTIGATION DO NOT DESTROY PENDING LITERATION Cancel# 92-1304 Scribe Volume Number Bureau File Number 44-3861 Bureau file Number 44.3861 DO NOT DESTROY PENDINO LITATION See also Nos. CA # 8-943 C DO NOT DETROY PENDIND LITRATION CA# 81-3113 See last volant SARAN 18-31715 2023 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 1470

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including alerts for potential retaliatory measures following his death on April 4, 1968. The FBI requested immediate reporting from agents on racial, security, and criminal matters, emphasizing the urgency of gathering information. References include photographs of individuals such as William Leslie Willard (FBI #30999G), Robert Shelton, and James Earl Ray, along with fingerprint records and descriptions of Eric Starvo Galt, who was sought for civil rights violations. A federal warrant was issued on April 17, 1968, charging Galt with conspiring to interfere with constitutional rights. The documents also reference the FBI's collection of evidence, including laundry markings, photographs, and fingerprint records, linked to the investigation.  

Key People:  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (assassinated on April 4, 1968)  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation; photos and fingerprints referenced)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (wanted by FBI for civil rights violations; aliases include Harvey Lawmer, John Willard)  
- William Leslie Willard (FBI #30999G; photo included in records)  
- Robert Shelton (photographed in a book related to the investigation)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (linked to fingerprint records and investigation activities)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (location of FBI warrant issuance for Eric Starvo Galt)  
- Hartford, Connecticut (source of photo of William Leslie Willard)  
- New York City (publication of photographs in "The Committee" book and the *New York Times*)  

Key Events:  
- Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968  
- FBI alert for potential retaliatory measures post-assassination  
- Issuance of a federal warrant on April 17, 1968, charging Eric Starvo Galt with conspiring to interfere with constitutional rights  
- Collection of photographs, fingerprints, and laundry markings as evidence in the investigation  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- New York Times (publication referenced for photographs)  
- Hartford Police Department (source of photo of William Leslie Willard)

MLK Declassified Files

157-nh-818_626213_19-01-part_1_of_2.pdf

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