</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 19 MAY EXCLUSION MAY 18, 1879-1914 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum SAC (11-11-669) DATE: 5/7/68 TO : : SA JAMES P. BROWN : SUBJECT: MURKIN Patrolman BIEBEL, Northeast District furnished the following information: MARTIN CARTER, N.M ., 36, 2001 Homewood Avenue, Apt 1c, telephone 212-03-0694 advised that photographs he feels that (6th Avenue) JAMES EARL RAY worked with him as a stonecturer at the Flynn Granite? JAMES E.R. RAY, who was a member of the Stonewood Police Department, was at work at more glasses and completed at the time that he had just prior to were employment been released after serving time on a Georgia chain gang Carter contributed $5/9/95 to h. davis that he lafr Flynn fmnt to elut of 1/1/19/95, he was years ago, and that the man he thanks loke the day was working at the th time. To the colection, the indindinded has the first home Ray, nickerson Red' and lindrichid hair. I d ouervir employment amount 1963 of Flynn Grant C, individiled caued out to meet to pay 44-669-285 SEARCHED INDEXED SERIALIZED Pamet MAY 7 1968 Flynn-tull/Unit Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan BX-100 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and local law enforcement investigative activities related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1968, focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. Key actions include the release of photographs of Ray to media on May 7, 1968, depicting him in Mexico (1967) and California (early 1968). Investigations involved identifying individuals resembling Ray, such as a man described as thin-faced with heavier eyebrows observed at the Hilton Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The FBI coordinated with local agencies like the Memphis Police Department and Maryland State Police to verify identities, employment histories, and travel records. Fingerprint comparisons were conducted on James Robert Vaughn, James William Vaughn, and James Ellis Vaughin Jr., alongside interviews of individuals like John F. Sikra, Thomas Randall, and Robert Boddorf. Laundries in Maryland and Texas, including Penthouse Laundry and Blue Ribbon Laundry, were scrutinized for potential connections to suspects. The FBI also sought information on Bubba-Eye Mason, an inmate at Lorton Reformatory, who allegedly had knowledge of Ray’s hideouts and a contract against MLK. Administrative memos, form submissions, and file numbers were referenced in the investigation process.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK, identified as the subject of FBI investigations.  
- **James Robert Vaughn**, **James William Vaughn**, **James Ellis Vaughin Jr.**: Individuals subjected to fingerprint comparisons linked to the case.  
- **John F. Sikra**: Interviewed in Pennsylvania regarding flight 38 and potential ties to Ray.  
- **Thomas Randall**: Student at SMU in Dallas, investigated for travel plans.  
- **Robert Boddorf**: Witness who reported not recognizing Ray on a flight; employed at Hercules Powder Company in Wilmington, Delaware.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Investigated via laundries in Maryland.  
- **Bubba-Eye Mason** (Wardell Hicks): Inmate at Lorton Reformatory, alleged to have knowledge of Ray’s activities and a contract against MLK.  
- **Garden C. Blackburn**: Allegedly planned to shoot MLK if he came to Memphis; referenced in Memphis Police Department records.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the investigation, with references to Memphis Police Department records and Blackburn’s alleged ties.  
- **San Antonio, Texas**: Site of hotel interviews where Ray may have been present; Hilton Hotel noted.  
- **Baltimore, Maryland**: FBI headquarters for coordination with local agencies.  
- **Wilmington, Delaware**: Mentioned in context of Hercules Powder Company employment for Robert Boddorf.  
- **Lorton Reformatory, Virginia**: Institution where Bubba-Eye Mason was incarcerated.  
- **Philadelphia, Pennsylvania**: Frankford Arsenal and Pasterville residence of John F. Sikra.  
- **Rockville and Bethesda, Maryland**: Locations of laundries and businesses under investigation.  
- **Dallas, Texas**: Thomas Randall’s travel plans referenced.  

Key Events  
- Release of James Earl Ray’s photographs to media on May 7, 1968, for public identification.  
- FBI fingerprint comparisons of Vaughn family members to evidence from the MLK assassination case.  
- Interviews with witnesses on American Airlines Flight 338 (April 6, 1968) and hotel staff in San Antonio to determine Ray’s presence.  
- Investigation into Robert Boddorf’s identity and employment at Hercules Powder Company.  
- Coordination between FBI SACs in Baltimore, Memphis, and Philadelphia with local law enforcement for identity verification and travel records.  
- Inquiry into Bubba-Eye Mason’s alleged knowledge of Ray’s hideouts in Mexico and a contract against MLK.  
- Memphis Police Department review of records related to James Robert Vaughn and Blackburn’s potential involvement.  
- Administrative memos, form submissions, and file numbers referenced in the investigation process.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led the investigation, coordinated with local agencies, and requested media assistance for Ray’s identification.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Provided records on Blackburn and Vaughn; reviewed case details.  
- **American Airlines**: Mentioned in context of Flight 338 where witnesses were interviewed.  
- **Hercules Powder Company**: Employed Robert Boddorf, investigated for potential connections to suspects.  
- **Lorton Reformatory**: Institution housing Bubba-Eye Mason, who provided alleged intelligence on Ray’s activities.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies in Maryland and Texas**: Collaborated with FBI on identity checks and employment verification.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ba-669_729218_1-02-part_5_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search