</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: 8/9/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Via AIRTRELL AIR MAIL (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, LOS ANGELES (44+1574)(FP) SUBJECT: MUKUKIN 00-Memphis Re Birmingham airtel dated 7/19/68. RE: WILLIE JAMES MC GUIRTE The following JAMES McG GUIRRE SA THEODOR J. (HEARN): The following investigation was conducted by: SA THEODEON J. J. HEARN: There is no such street in Los Angeles County as Central Parkway. CLIFFORD MOORE, Departcher, Transcon, Inc ., 77/45 South Paramount, Pico Rivera, California, Advised MC GUIRNE is not an employee of that company. Transcon has neither leased their equipment to another carrier nor leased equipment from another carrier in over two years. They have no lease truck drivers in Los Angels. Personal observation at 627 South Alameda Street, Birmingham, Los Angeles reveals the entire 600 block to be utilized by gasoline stations, a bank and parking lots. - Bureau - Birmingham (44)-1740) (AM) 2 - Memphis (44-(-1987)(AM) 2 - Los Angeles 14/1740 2037 TJA/as1 SEARCHED INDEX (9) SERIALIZED FIVE AUG12 1968 POI-BIRMINGHAM Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential threats against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray (JER) as a suspect in his assassination. Key elements include inquiries into Willie James McGuire’s alleged ties to threatening calls reported to Bob Wood, owner of Aeromarine Supply Company in Birmingham, Alabama. The FBI verified McGuire’s non-existent employment history and addresses, while Wood claimed threats originated from individuals linked to the "Black Pamphlets" (possibly Black Panthers), referencing sawed-off shotguns and arson. Arthur Hanes, attorney for JER, purchased .38 caliber Colt Detective Specials from Aeromarine Supply for protection, prompting FBI notification of local authorities. Interactions between Robert M. Shelton (Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America) and Hanes are noted, including discussions on potential Klan support for JER’s defense fund. The documents also reference JER’s alleged travel to Mexico in October–November 1967, including hotel stays at Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Rio and Hotel Tropicana, bank records, and associations with Luis Garcia and Margarita Montes. Discrepancies in JER’s travel documents and conflicting informants’ accounts of his activities are highlighted. Additional testimonies from witnesses in Puerto Vallarta describe JER (aka Eric Stevo Galt) purchasing marijuana, renting an apartment, and interacting with prostitutes, including physical descriptions and a white Mustang with Alabama license plates. The FBI requested human interest data on the MLK assassination investigation, while administrative records include cost tracking for the Birmingham Division’s case. A separate fragment mentions LOCKHART reporting a contract delivered to an inmate nicknamed "ACE," linked to Robert Pratt, who was allegedly arrested in 1963 for concealing stolen goods and incarcerated at Kilby Prison. The Memphis Office prohibited sharing photographs of JER with William Bradford Huix and Robert Pratt.  

Key People  
- Bob Wood (owner of Aeromarine Supply Company, Birmingham, Alabama)  
- Arthur Hanes (attorney for James Earl Ray)  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination; investigated for travel and associations)  
- Robert M. Shelton (Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America)  
- Willie James McGuire (subject of investigation into threatening activities)  
- Luis Garcia (bar tender, provided details on JER’s stay in Puerto Vallarta)  
- Margarita Montes (prostitute, reported interactions with JER)  
- LOCKHART (provided information about the contract and "ACE")  
- LOCKHARF (individual who withheld identity)  
- ACE (nickname for an inmate linked to the contract)  
- Robert Pratt (allegedly arrested in Birmingham, served time at Kilby Prison)  
- William Bradford Huix (prohibited from receiving photographs of James Earl Ray)  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Aeromarine Supply Company, Birmingham PD, Kilby Prison)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (JER’s alleged connection to MLK assassination case)  
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico (Hotel Rio, Hotel Tropicana, Casa Susana, Firestone Tire Store)  
- Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (bank records reviewed)  
- Los Angeles, California (Hollywood Freeway, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office)  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Willie James McGuire’s alleged threats and employment status  
- Threatening calls reported to Bob Wood by individuals linked to the "Black Pamphlets"  
- Arthur Hanes’ purchase of .38 caliber firearms from Aeromarine Supply for protection  
- FBI notification of local authorities regarding Hanes’ firearm purchase  
- Meetings between Shelton (UKA/KKK) and Arthur Hanes discussing potential Klan support for Ray’s defense fund  
- JER’s alleged travel to Mexico in October–November 1967, including hotel stays and car details  
- FBI investigation into JER’s movements, associates, and financial activities  
- Conflicting accounts from informants about JER’s behavior and connections  
- Meetings between Galt (JER) and prostitutes in Puerto Vallarta (October–December 1967)  
- Purchase of Firestone tires and related transactions at a Firestone store in Puerto Vallarta  
- FBI request for human interest data on MLK’s assassination investigation  
- Cost tracking of the Birmingham Division’s case (August 1968)  
- Delivery of contract details to an inmate in maximum security detention  
- Robert Pratt’s alleged 1963–1964 arrest for concealing stolen goods  
- Identification and evaluation of "ACE" by Birmingham authorities  
- Prohibition on sharing photographs of James Earl Ray with William Bradford Huix and Robert Pratt  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United Klans of America (UKA)  
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK)  
- Aeromarine Supply Company (Birmingham, Alabama)  
- Los Angeles Police Department  
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office  
- Banco Industrial de Jalisco, S.A., Banco de Comerico de Guadalajara  
- Firestone Tire Company  
- National Office (coordinated Shelton’s legal efforts)

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-04-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search