</s>D-248 (REV. 438.60) Isz-1262-2 MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FLE Seb. 2 MAY MAMASINI NOT DESTROY PENNSYLVANIA 2933 INSINS FEDERAL BUREAU undered 2022-4 Zuserts - PRESERVE T SELECT COMMITTEE ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL of ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED DECLASSIFICATION ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 1/2/20/23 SP1 CURTIT INVSTIGATION Volume Number: Serial: Sol-600 Buro-DO-MOT-DESTROY HISTORICIAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES See also Nos. See also No. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of multiple FBI FD-302 forms dated May 1968, detailing interviews with individuals in Louisiana regarding potential telephone calls received from Houston, Texas, during December 1967. The FBI sought to verify connections between these individuals and James Earl Ray (JER), a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., by investigating call histories, familiarity with JER’s photograph, and familial ties to Houston residents. Most interviewees denied receiving calls from Texas or recognizing JER, though some mentioned relatives or acquaintances in Houston who may have made or received calls. References to the "MARTIN LUTHER KING slaying" appear in several entries, contextualizing the investigation into JER’s potential involvement.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified as the suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in multiple interviews.  
- **Sylvia MIMS**: Grocery store owner who recognized Ray from news reports and identified him as MLK’s assassin.  
- **Mrs. LIFELIA JOHNSON**, **Mr. DARNEEL THOMPSON**, **Miss SALLIE WALPOOL**: Louisiana residents who denied receiving calls from Houston or recognizing JER.  
- **Alva HAMPTON**: Seaman mentioned by Mrs. LIFELIA JOHNSON.  
- **LEROY STATTER**: Linked to Jo Ann Smith’s daughter, a resident of Houston.  
- **CHARLES W. SLOCUM**: Brother-in-law of George H. SMITH, who made calls from Houston.  
- **Rosie Hill**, **Willie Davis**, **J.R. Moreau**, **Clarence Pete**, **Herman Johnson**, **Aimee Graham**, **Jessie Antoine**, **Frank Papania**, **Lastie Ocea**, **Norman Hebert**, **David Byers**, **C.C. Coleman**, **Joseph Pete**, **Murray Rideau**, **Kelly Carmouche**: Louisiana residents interviewed about potential calls from Houston.  

Key Locations  
- **Louisiana** (Bossier City, Lake Charles, Dubach, Ruston, Shreveport, Caspiana, Jennings, Minden, Baton Rouge): Interview locations.  
- **Houston, Texas**: Center of long-distance call inquiries and connections to individuals involved in the investigation.  
- **Beaumont, Texas**: Mentioned as a location for relatives or acquaintances of Louisiana residents.  

Key Events  
- FBI interviews conducted in May 1968 to investigate potential links between Louisiana residents and telephone calls from Houston, Texas, during December 1967.  
- Verification of call records, alibis, and familiarity with JER’s photograph among interviewees.  
- Sylvia MIMS’ identification of James Earl Ray as the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., though no further details were provided.  
- Examination of photographs of James Earl Ray to confirm recognition by interviewees.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and documented responses to inquiries about potential connections to the assassination investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_130-03-part_1_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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