</s>Salcedo, Charles LA SA LeMaster XV-88 Occupant room 425, St. Francis. Saw Ray in Sultan room several times. Not known as occupant of room 403 St. Francis .. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail various investigative inquiries into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on individuals associated with James Earl Ray, Raymond Curtis, and related activities in 1968. Charles L. Sanders received letters from Raymond Curtis discussing plans to kill King, including a 7/5/68 letter referencing their friendship and "plans to kill King." Sanders also forwarded letters to J. Edgar Hoover and Ebony magazine. James Earl Ray was described by inmate Sero as a "hayseed," a regular amphetamine user, and someone who idolized notorious criminals but lacked criminal connections. Ray's stay at the St. Francis Hotel in Memphis is noted, with references to room 425 and interactions with individuals like Salcedo and Selma. The Mustang car linked to Ray (registered to Galt) was traced through ownership transfers and sales records. Investigations included checking motel contacts, beer can evidence, and hardware store labels. Some entries mention unrelated inquiries, such as Schindler's pornographic literature sales or Sentinella’s library checks, but these are included as part of the document content.  

Key People:  
- **Charles L. Sanders**: Received letters from Raymond Curtis about plans to kill King; forwarded correspondence to FBI and Ebony magazine.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Described by Sero as a prison inmate with amphetamine use, no criminal connections, and potential motive for killing King.  
- **Raymond Curtis**: Mentioned in letters to Sanders regarding their alleged plot against King.  
- **Sero**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who knew Ray and Curtis; described Ray’s personality and possible motives.  
- **Galt**: Linked to the Mustang car registration and ownership transfers.  

Key Locations:  
- **St. Francis Hotel (Memphis)**: Ray stayed in room 425; interactions with Salcedo, Selma, and Pendleton noted.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Sero’s incarceration site where he met Ray and Curtis.  
- **Rompage Hardware Store**: Associated with photo labels and pliers linked to the investigation.  

Key Events:  
- **Letters from Raymond Curtis to Sanders (1968)**: Discussed plans to kill King, including prison friendship and potential motives.  
- **Mustang Car Investigation**: Traced ownership transfers and sales records, linking Galt to the vehicle.  
- **Prison Inmate Descriptions**: Sero’s account of Ray’s personality, drug use, and possible criminal intent.  
- **Hotel Room Surveillance**: References to Ray’s stay at St. Francis Hotel and interactions with other individuals.  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI (J. Edgar Hoover)**: Involved in tracking correspondence and evidence related to the assassination plot.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and Sero’s accounts.  
- **Amusement Co./SA (Special Agents)**: Conducted investigations into car registrations, hardware store labels, and motel contacts.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-43418_bulky_1_sec_001_ser_1_only-part_33_of_48.pdf

Document Summary

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