</s>FD 245 (REV 4:13:60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) (CALIFORNIA TO: B53 44-4933 FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED HISTORICAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ENTIRE HISTORICIAL DECLASSIFICATION INVESTIGATION ALL INFORMATION CONTACNED MEREEN US. WATTH SCREEN DATE: 29/03/03 9/10/18/18 Series: Volume Number 44-38661 Bureau File Number DO NOT DESTORATION DO NOT RESERVATION PENDING LITIGATION 200 360 See also Nos. DO NOT. DESTROZ - FENDING LICITATION C HUM MARKE 10-47258 2026 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of historical FBI records from the 1960s detailing the investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the activities of James Earl Ray, who was later convicted as the perpetrator. The focus is on Ray’s movements, aliases, and connections to stolen vehicles, laundry machine codes, and financial transactions. Key investigative efforts include tracking abandoned vehicles (e.g., a Cadillac found at Atlanta Airport), analyzing laundry machine serial numbers linked to evidence from the crime scene, and cross-referencing vehicle registrations, aliases, and financial records. Ray was flagged as "ARMED AND DANGEROUS" due to his alleged involvement in transporting stolen vehicles and potential threats to public safety. The FBI collaborated with local agencies across multiple states to trace leads, including Ray’s presence in Vermont (1967), Ohio (April 5, 1968), and Georgia (post-April 5, 1968). A Canadian money order signed as "Eric Galt" was noted for discrepancies in handwriting, suggesting identity obfuscation. The records highlight the complexity of the investigation, including challenges in verifying leads and the use of forensic evidence such as laundry codes to build a case against Ray.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect identified as the perpetrator; used aliases including Eric Starvo Galt, Walter Terry Rife, and James O'Connor.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Key alias linked to Ray; no conclusive evidence tied him directly to the assassination.  
- **Walter Terry Rife**: Located and interviewed but not confirmed as a co-conspirator.  
- **Michael St. Pierre**: Florida license plate associated with Ray’s financial records.  

Key Locations  
- **Bennington, Vermont** (September 14, 1967): Last known location of Ray before his movements to Ohio and Georgia.  
- **Dayton, Ohio** (April 5, 1968): Ray was last seen in the Atlanta area around this date; FBI noted lack of confirmed transportation details post-April 4, 1968.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Central location for the assassination and subsequent investigation.  
- **Canada**: Site of a Canadian money order (No. C-31,600,868) signed as "Eric Galt."  

Key Events  
- **Vehicle Tracking**: FBI monitored abandoned vehicles, including a Cadillac with Tennessee license plates found at Atlanta Airport.  
- **Laundry Machine Codes**: Analysis of codes like "TWO ZERO R DASH THREE" (20R-3) and serial numbers (e.g., #33441) linked to evidence from the crime scene.  
- **Financial Activity**: Investigation into Ray’s use of a Canadian money order signed as "Eric Galt," noted for handwriting discrepancies.  
- **Armed and Dangerous Status**: Multiple memos flagged Ray as a threat due to his alleged involvement in stolen vehicle transportation.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Central agency conducting the investigation, utilizing forensic analysis, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration.  
- **Local Agencies** (e.g., Albany, Memphis, Atlanta): Provided critical support for tracking leads and verifying information.

MLK Declassified Files

44-al-493-493a_729423_02-02-part_1_of_6.pdf

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