</s>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUITICE EDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 4-23-68 307 HJC WASHINGTON, D.C. 2037 3 The following FBI record, NUMBER 405 942 G is furnished FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Information shown on this Identification Record represents data furnished FBI by fingerprint contributors. WHERE FINAL DISPOSITION IS NOT SHOWN OR PURTHER PLANATION OF CHARGE IS DESIRED, COMMUNICATE WITH AGENCY CONTRIBUTING THOSE PRINGERSPIRINGS. CONTENT OF INDEPENDENTS NAME AND NUMBER RECEIVED CHARGE DISPOSITION CONTRIBUTION OF INDEPENENTS NAMEE AND NUMER RECOVERED DISPOSITIO Police Department James Earl Ray October susplosion of Saint Louis, #81071 16, 1959 robery stealing and Missouri fugitive other autorities State Penitentiary James EarlRay March 17, "TCR" 20 years (20, Jefferson City, #00416 1960 operating motor 7, 5, Missouri vehicle without concurrent) passion of owner robery first (b/m DMV) (2 charges) State Hospital James Earl ray Number 1 #37045 C-5 September Patient Fulton, Missouri 8, 1966 Notations indicated by . are NOT based on fingerprints in FBI files but are listed only as investigative leads as being possibly identical with subject of this record. John Edgar Hoover Director 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail the FBI’s investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as the primary suspect. Ray, a fugitive with a criminal history including burglary, armed robbery, and forgery, was identified through fingerprint analysis linking latent prints at the scene to his records. The FBI tracked him after his escape from Missouri State Penitentiary on April 23, 1967, designating him as "armed and extremely dangerous." While some internal memos reference speculative theories about conspirators or subversive networks, the official conclusion remains that Ray acted alone. The documents also include FBI efforts to disseminate information via media and law enforcement, including photographs and wanted flyers for public identification.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Primary suspect in MLK Jr.’s assassination; described as a 40-year-old white male with distinctive physical traits (scar on forehead, protruding left ear).  
- **FBI Agents**: Noted in internal memos but not named individually.  
- **Gerald Galt**: Mentioned in context of the investigation, possibly an informant or suspect.  
- **Other Individuals**: References to "MURKIN" and other code names or misrendered terms (likely informants or suspects).  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Ray’s escape location on April 23, 1967.  
- **Albuquerque, New Mexico**: Noted as a location tied to surveillance or tracking efforts.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Implied as the assassination site (contextual reference).  

Key Events  
- **Fingerprint Analysis**: FBI confirmed Ray’s prints matched latent prints at the scene of MLK Jr.’s assassination.  
- **Surveillance and Tracking**: Efforts to locate Ray post-escape, including use of laundry services, license plate checks, and hotel stay monitoring.  
- **Media Dissemination**: Distribution of photographs and identification orders via "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.  
- **Conspiracy Theories**: Internal memos reference speculative investigations into potential conspirators or subversive networks, though these were later dismissed as unverified.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central to the investigation, employing surveillance, fingerprint analysis, and public awareness campaigns.  
- **U.S. Government**: Officially concluded Ray acted alone in the assassination.  

Additional Notes  
- The documents reflect Cold War-era surveillance practices, including tracking dissidents and suspected criminals.  
- Some text contains OCR errors (e.g., "MURKIN" instead of "MURKIN") or unclear references to code names.  
- The case remains controversial, with debates over Ray’s sole involvement versus potential conspiracies, though the U.S. government maintains its official stance.

MLK Declassified Files

44-aq-715_v2-part_2_of_5.pdf

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