</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) F.B.I Date: 5/6/68 Transmit the following in PLAINTEXT TELETYPE (Type in plaintext or code) URGENT Via (Priority) TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) MIAMI, MEMPHIS (44 -1987) & BIRMINGHAM (44-(44-1740) FROM TAMPA (757-33231) MURKIN ON MAY SIX INSTANT, CAROL YVONNE CROWLEY, NEE RANKIN, ADVISED SHE AND HER HUSBAND, ALTON RAY CROWLEY, HAD A DIS- AGREEMENT AND HE HAD ABBANDED HER IN PINELLAS PARK, FLA ., ON MAY FIVE LAST. SHE SHADES SHE AND HIS HUSBANDS STAYED AT BUENA VISTA HOTEL, FOUR ZERO NINE NORTH DIXIE, WEST PALM BEACH, FL A ., FROM APPROXIMATELY APRIL ONE EIGHT 8 OF THI APRIL TWENTY-FIVE LAST, SHE DESCRIBED THIS HOTEL AS A RUN DOWN ROOMING HOUSE WITH APARTMENTS IN THE REAR. ON THE DAY SHE AND HER HUBBARD DEPARTMENTS WEST PALM BEACH, SEVERAL OCCUPANTS OF THE ROOMING HOUSED HOUSE HADE A DISCUSSION IN THE HALL OF THE ROOMINING HOUSE AT WHICH TIME SHE PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS INMASHMACH ASEARCHED DRAOCCURAL A NICE BUSINESS SUIT, BOW TIE AND SOME SENTALED DOOTS BEING INDEXED JDL:cJ FILED 1. JL.C.J 157-33-31-407 2. Flee Mm 3009 Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent WA3-3009 M.J.M. M.B3.B9 2005 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14170

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations in 1968 into potential connections between individuals and Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. Carol Yvonne Crowley (nee Rankin) reported her husband, Alton Ray Crowley, observed an individual resembling Ray at the Buena Vista Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida, during their stay from April 8 to April 25, 1968. The FBI noted discrepancies in age but deemed Crowley’s identification credible. Investigations also examined Royal American Shows, Inc., a Tampa-based company with no personnel ID card issuance for 21 years, and connections to Russell C. Brewer (Batcave ride operator) and James L. Sparks, who claimed an ID card was issued for a Jackson, Mississippi, event. Flight reservations and passenger tracking via Eastern Airlines were explored for potential links to the assassination. In Tampa, an informant reported seeing Ray at the International Inn under the name Donald James McDonald, with car rental records showing the vehicle was picked up on April 10, 1968, and returned on May 5, 1968. The FBI cross-referenced Delta Airlines reservations for April 10, 1968, involving J. Walton, and investigated James O’Connor as a possible resemblance to Ray. FBI offices in Memphis, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Pittsburgh were directed to track Ray’s movements, including fingerprint analysis by Special Agent Robert C. Ball. Media was instructed to disseminate photographs of Ray alongside MLK-related imagery for public identification.  

Key People  
- Carol Yvonne Crowley (nee Rankin)  
- Alton Ray Crowley  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK Jr.'s assassination)  
- Donald James McDonald (individual resembling Ray, rented car in Tampa)  
- Russell C. Brewer (ride operator at Royal American Shows)  
- James L. Sparks (associated with Royal American Shows)  
- J. Walton (name associated with Delta Airlines reservation)  
- Robert C. Ball (FBI fingerprint expert)  
- Special Agents: Donald G. Montgomerie, Donna E. Caro, W.F. Dayle, Borden W. Juillle  
- SACs (Special Agent in Charge): Tampa, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh  

Key Locations  
- Pinellas Park, Florida (Crowley’s abandonment report)  
- West Palm Beach, Florida (Buena Vista Hotel)  
- Tampa International Airport (car rental and check-in records)  
- International Inn, Tampa, Florida (McDonald’s alleged stay)  
- Jackson, Mississippi (event site for ID card sales)  
- Sarasota County, Florida (Miriam Best reported sightings of Ray)  
- Sanford, Florida (barber shop where Ray was allegedly seen)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (designated FBI office of origin for the case)  

Key Events  
- Crowley’s sighting of an individual resembling James Earl Ray at the Buena Vista Hotel.  
- FBI investigation into Royal American Shows’ ID card practices and connections to potential suspects.  
- Car rental investigation linking Donald James McDonald to a vehicle rented on April 10, 1968.  
- Delta Airlines reservation review for April 10, 1968, involving J. Walton.  
- Cross-referencing photographs of McDonald with Ray’s images.  
- FBI issuing photographs of James Earl Ray as part of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives program.  
- Media coordination to disseminate Ray’s photographs alongside MLK-related imagery for public identification.  
- Fingerprint analysis by Special Agent Robert C. Ball to verify Ray’s identity.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Royal American Shows, Inc.  
- Eastern Airlines (flight reservation investigation)  
- Delta Airlines (reservation data review)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- News media outlets (photo dissemination and public awareness efforts)

MLK Declassified Files

157-tp-3231_629182_175-03-part_7_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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