</s>FD. 248 (REV. 419-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT 85 REMOVED FROM OR ADDED OR ADDEO TO THIS FILED MORRIN' FEDERAL BUREALO ATLANTA of INVESTIGATION ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED Bureau File Number FOR HISTORICAL Volume Number Securities Press RINGE FILE DECLASSIFICATION Volume Number ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN LANCASPRISED See also No. DO NOT DESTROY PRESERVE FOR SELECT COMMITE ON ASSASSINATIONS M-1919 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document contains federal government records detailing the FBI’s investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. It outlines the agency’s efforts to identify and apprehend Eric Starvo Galt, who was charged with conspiring to violate civil rights by attempting to injure or intimidate Dr. King. The FBI alleges that Galt purchased a 30.06 rifle with a telescopic sight in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 30, 1968, which was later found near a rooming house overlooking the Lorraine Hotel and Motel where Dr. King stayed. Galt is described as a fugitive with aliases including James Earl Ray, an escapee from the Missouri State Penitentiary. The FBI notes his criminal history, including convictions for burglary, armed robbery, and forgery, and details his movements between cities such as Los Angeles, New Orleans, Birmingham, Memphis, and Atlanta. Press releases were distributed to media outlets, including radio stations and journalists, to inform the public about the investigation and Galt’s status as a suspect. On April 17, 1968, the FBI announced a federal complaint against Galt for conspiring to violate civil rights. Additional press releases were coordinated between April 19–24, 1968, with agents delivering copies to media outlets in Atlanta, Georgia, and other locations.  

Key People:  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Charged with conspiring to violate civil rights of Dr. King; later identified as James Earl Ray.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified as Eric Starvo Galt, an escapee from Missouri State Penitentiary with a criminal record.  
- **J. Edgar Hoover**: FBI Director who provided details about the investigation and Galt’s activities.  
- **Ramsey Clark**: Attorney General who announced the federal complaint against Galt.  
- **SA James Joseph Dolan**, **SA Bernard R. Berry**, **SA Jack B. Simpson**: FBI agents involved in distributing press releases.  
- **Jerome Johnson**: Program director at WERD radio station, recipient of press releases.  
- **Louis Atkins**: News reporter at United Press International (UPI), received photos of Galt.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination; Lorraine Hotel and Motel where he stayed.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Where Galt allegedly purchased the rifle and was linked to the conspiracy.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Location of an abandoned white Mustang tied to Galt; also a hub for press release distribution.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Part of Galt’s reported travel route.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Where Galt allegedly took bartending classes and had prior connections.  
- **Dalton, Georgia**: Received press releases from FBI agents.  
- **Ellijay, Georgia**: Media outlets contacted for press release distribution.  

Key Events:  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis.  
- **March 30, 1968**: Galt purchased a rifle in Birmingham, Alabama, linked to the assassination.  
- **April 17, 1968**: FBI announced federal complaint against Galt for conspiring to violate civil rights.  
- **April 19–24, 1968**: Press releases distributed to media outlets, including radio stations and journalists, detailing Galt’s status as a fugitive.  
- **July 20, 1967**: FBI filed complaint against James Earl Ray for fleeing Missouri State Penitentiary.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into Dr. King’s assassination and Galt’s activities.  
- **United States Department of Justice**: Issued press releases and coordinated federal complaints.  
- **United Press International (UPI)**: Received photos of Galt and reported on the investigation.  
- **Radio Stations (e.g., WERD, WYNX, WITIA, WRJN)**: Recipients of press releases about the investigation.  
- **Dalton Daily Citizen**, **Ellijay Times-Courier**, **Blue Ridge Centennial**, **Walker Co. Messenger**, **Dade Co. Centennial**, **WRCD**, **WTI**, **WGST**, **WGLS**, **WOXXI**, **Channel 11**, **WGUN**, **Los Angeles Times**: Media outlets involved in receiving press releases or reporting on the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_166-06.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search