</s>-PD-36 (Rev. 2-14-74) FBI Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plainstort or code) Via (Precedence) PAGE TWO TP 157-3231 ON DECEMBER 12, 1975, AND REQUESTED THAT WEHUNT TELEPHONE COLLECT TO JOHN CREDWSON, A REPORTER FOR THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AT TELEFHONE NUMBER 202-293-3100. WEHUnT ADVISED THAT HE SUBSQUENTLY CONTACTED CREWSON WHO INDICATED THAT THE DESIRED TO COME TO TAMPA, FLORIDA, FORDIDA, AND INTERVIEW WEHNUT CONCERNING INFORMATION THAT WHEUNT HAD PREVIOUSLY FURNISHED TO THE FBI. WEHUNTI STATED THAT FROM HIS CONVERSATION WITH CREWISON IT WAS OBVIOUS TO HIM THAT CREWDSON HAD THE RESULTS OF THE INTERVIEW OF WEHNT OF WHEHUNT BY A TAPA FBI AGENT ON JULY 1, 1974. WEHNUNT ADVISID THAT HE DID NOT GIVE A DEFINITE ANSWER TO CREWDSOM BUT INDICADED THAT THE WOULD CONTACT CREWSDON AND FURNISH A DEFINE ANSWERSH TO HIM AS TO WHEATHER HE DESIRED TO BE INTERVIEWED. WEHUnTI DESIRED THE KNOW HOW A REPORTER FROM THE " NEW YORK TIMES" OBTAINED THE RESULT OF HIS INTERVIEW ON JULY 1. 1974. WEHUMT WAS ADVISID THAT THE TAMPA OFFICE WAS NOT AWARE AS TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH CREWDISON WOULD OBTAIN THE RESULTS OF THE INTERVIEW CONDUCTED OF WEHMUNT BY TAPPA AGENTS. WEHHUNT SUSCEN/ADVISED THAT HE PLANS TO CONTACT CASTILLO AND HAVE CASILLO END PAGE TWO Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Por 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail communications between the FBI Tampa Office and Robert Thomas Whelunt regarding an interview he had with a Tampa FBI agent on July 1, 1974. Whelunt claimed he provided information to the FBI about three convicts in Fulton County Jail who were allegedly approached by individuals (including "very influential businessmen") to plot the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Whelunt stated he did not confirm details to a reporter, John Crewson, but intended to provide a definitive response. The Tampa FBI Office noted that Crewson may have obtained information from the interview and advised Whelunt to contact Angel Castillo to inform Crewson he had no further information. Whelunt also expressed fear of public backlash if his involvement in providing details about King’s assassination became known. Additional documents reference FBI internal discussions about disseminating information related to James Earl Ray, the alleged assassin of Dr. King, and mention a 1975 robbery case involving Carl Frank Delvic, who was connected to Florida State Hospital. The FBI Tampa Office noted that no further action was taken on some inquiries due to lack of additional information or dissemination records.  

Key People:  
- Robert Thomas Whelunt (individual who allegedly provided information about King’s assassination)  
- John Crewson (reporter for *New York Times*)  
- James Earl Ray (alleged assassin of Dr. King)  
- Carl Frank Delvic (individual involved in a 1975 robbery case and connected to Florida State Hospital)  
- Angel Castillo (individual mentioned as an intermediary in communications)  

Key Locations:  
- Tampa, Florida (FBI office involved in the investigation)  
- St. Petersburg, Florida (*St. Petersburg Times* referenced in documents)  
- Jacksonville, Florida (FBI office handling related inquiries)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (location of Fulton County Jail mentioned in Whelunt’s account)  

Key Events:  
- FBI Tampa Office communications with Robert Thomas Whelunt regarding his 1974 interview and alleged information about King’s assassination plot.  
- Whelunt’s claim that he provided details to the FBI about individuals plotting against Dr. King, including "very influential businessmen."  
- FBI internal discussions on disseminating information to the Civil Rights Division and handling inquiries from journalists like Crewson.  
- Mention of Carl Frank Delvic’s 1975 robbery case and his connection to Florida State Hospital.  
- References to James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in King’s assassination and speculation about FBI surveillance or harassment of King prior to his death.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division)  
- *New York Times* (media outlet involved in reporting on the case)  
- Florida State Hospital (institution where Carl Frank Delvic was a patient)

MLK Declassified Files

157-tp-3231_629182_176-01-part_9_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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