</s>Mr. DeLoach June 20, 1968 1- Mr. Deloach A. Rosen 1- Mrs. Rosen 1-Mr. Melley M. M. Cowan MURKIN 1- M. Mr. Long This is the case involving the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. There is attached a letterhead memorandum dated June 13, 1988, for the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General. The Deputy Attorney Rights Division, Attorney General Pollak of the Civil Criminal Division, setting forth results of the Investigation Criminal Division, setting for the investigation conducted in Portugal concerning James Earl Ray. The investigation was conducted by the Portuguese International Legal and State Security Police and was made available to our Legal Attache, Paris. The memorandum shows that Ray arrivaled Attache. The Memorandum shows that Lisbon en route to London on May 17, 1968; that he was issued a new passport by the Canadian Embassy in Lisbon issued a New passport by a Canadian embassy in Lisbon name he was using a Sheva rather than Shevey! that he did- played a Canadian birth certificate in the name of Ramon George Shevey! That he was frequently referred to night club where he did - night and sleeping late during the day; and that inquiry night and slept late during this day; that inquiry had been made at the Rhodesian Mission in Lisbon but that and there was no record of any inquiry having been made by him. Investigation previously revealed that Ray had not exhibited Interest was going to Rhodesia. During having been done by Portsmouth in going to Rhode Island. During the inquiry in Portsbury, Rhode Island, during the inquiry into determine if subject was alone or was accompanied by other individuals. It was ascertained he was alone in all instances except those described above. ACTION: The attached letterhead memoandum should be forwarded to the Attorney general, the deputy Attorney General General, Assistant Attorney General Poliak and Assistant Attorney Attorney General Vinson. Enclosure FJHJ.Jh (6) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail U.S. government efforts to extradite James Earl Ray from Portugal to face murder charges related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Key elements include coordination between FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), and British authorities on Ray’s secure transport, legal proceedings in London, and verification of his identity through fingerprint testimony by George J. Bonebone. Ray’s movements are tracked, including his arrival in Lisbon under a Canadian passport using the alias Ramon George Shevey. The DOJ seeks updates on Ray’s apprehension in England and shares prior FBI investigation reports from Memphis, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. Extradition hearings are scheduled for June 27, 1968, with concerns raised about security risks during transit, prompting recommendations for military transport and medical escorts. Ray’s brothers, John Larry Ray and Jerry Ray, are noted as individuals monitoring his activities, while Arthur J. Hanes, a former FBI agent turned attorney, is mentioned in legal documents related to Ray’s defense. Passport discrepancies, including Ray’s use of aliases, and his criminal history involving a 1950 burglary conviction are referenced. Internal FBI communications reference ongoing investigations into Ray’s movements and potential trial preparations.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK Jr., subject of extradition proceedings; used alias Ramon George Shevey for passport applications.  
- **John Larry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; operated Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis, Missouri; reported monitoring Ray’s activities.  
- **Arthur J. Hanes**: Attorney allegedly seeking to represent Ray; previously represented defendants in the 1965 murder of Viola Luizzo.  
- **George J. Bonebone**: Fingerprint examiner testifying on Ray’s identity in London extradition hearings.  
- **Fred M. Vinson Jr.**: Assistant Attorney General overseeing extradition and legal proceedings.  
- **Legat Minnich**: British legal official managing extradition hearings.  
- **Ramon George Sneyd**: Alias used by James Earl Ray for passport applications; referenced in Canadian and Portuguese records.  

Key Locations  
- **Lisbon, Portugal**: Key location for Ray’s passport applications and travel records; involved in international investigations.  
- **London, England**: Venue for extradition hearings and legal proceedings against Ray.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK Jr.’s assassination and subsequent trial of James Earl Ray.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Location of John Larry Ray’s tavern and residence.  
- **Dulles Airport (Washington, D.C.)** and **Heathrow Airport (London, England)**: Sites for document transport via TWA Flight 1974 on June 15, 1968.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Location of Ray’s escape in April 1967; John Larry Ray visited him prior to this event.  

Key Events  
- **Extradition Hearings**: Legal proceedings in London between the U.S. and UK over Ray’s extradition for murder charges, scheduled for June 27, 1968.  
- **Passport Applications**: Ray’s use of aliases (Ramon George Sneyd) and discrepancies in Canadian and Portuguese passport records.  
- **Secure Transport Coordination**: FBI and DOJ discussions on military transport and medical escorts to ensure Ray’s safe transfer to the U.S.  
- **Monitoring of Ray’s Movements**: FBI efforts to track Ray’s travel, including his alleged visits to Canada, Portugal, and England.  
- **Legal Representation**: Attempts by Arthur J. Hanes and others to secure defense for Ray; scrutiny of his legal background.  
- **Document Transport**: Coordination of package delivery containing MLK assassination-related documents via TWA Flight 1974 on June 15, 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance, tracked Ray’s movements, and coordinated with international agencies.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Oversaw legal proceedings, including extradition and trial of James Earl Ray.  
- **British Home Office**: Managed extradition hearings and legal challenges against Ray.  
- **Canadian Embassy in Lisbon**: Provided passport records and documents related to Ray’s applications.  
- **Portuguese International Police**: Assisted in verifying Ray’s travel records and hotel stays in Lisbon.  
- **U.S. Department of State (Passport Office)**: Handled passport requests, including Arthur Hanes’ denied Sunday application.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_sec_012_ser_231_only-part_02_of_11.pdf

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