</s>FD-36 (Rev. 3-22-2461) FBI Date: 4/25/68 Transmit the following in PLAIN TEXT Type in plaintext or code: TELETYPE IMMEDIATE Via (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) AND SACS BIRINGHAM (44-(44-1740), MEMPHIS (44)-1987) AND RICHMOND (AIRMAIL COPY TO CHARLOTTE FROM: SAC, EL PASO (157-186) (P) AND ATLANTIA) MURKIN RE ERIC RAY, AKA EARL KAY, FRIEND OF SHELBY JEAN BALDRIDGE. EL PASo LET TO DIRECTOR, ATN. IDENT. DIV ., DIV. DATED APRIL TWENTYTWO LAST, CAPTIONED SHELLEY RECEIVED FROM BALDRIOGE, ET AL, MISSING PERSONS NOTICE, SETS OUT INFO RECEIVE FROM SCT. ELBERT BALDDRIDGE, FT. BLISS, TEXAS, RE HIS WIFE, SHELRY JEANS JEANN BALDBRIDGE AND TWO CHILDREN AGE FOUR, AND AGE THREE. SCT. BALDRLIDGE ADVISED AS FOLLOWS: HE AND WIFE SEPARATED SINCE NOVEMBER, SIXTY SEVEN AND WIFE AND CHILDRENS HAVE BEEN LIVING SPRING LAKE, SINCTY SEVEN, NORTH CAROLINA, WHILE WIFE WORKED AT GAYLORD DEPARTMENT STORE, FAYET TEVILLE, NORTH WIFE CAROLINE. ON NARCH HIRTYORD DEPAINTMENT STONE, WIFE TELEPHICALLY ADVISED SCT ., BLADRIDGEE SHE WAS RETURNING TO EL PAISO, LEAVING APRIL ONE LAST AND WOULD ARRIVE EL PASONO APRIL THREE LAST. DJR SENT WA WA 7:37 pm. RECID'T LOC SENT BH 7:28 pm.RECID'L REC (1) SENT BI 7:26 pm. RECID TESP SERIALIZED SENT IH 8:04 pm. RECID D'SELP SENT INH 8.04 pm ., RECID DI'S T57-136-537 FEDD 3/23/65-537 FEDED INH BH 8-04 PM. RECORD D'ESP <loc_888><loc_841><loc_888><loc_853><loc_682><loc_853>Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M M <loc_636><loc_891>Poc-Futtlumne.0m

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between individuals and the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key inquiries focused on James Earl Ray, with efforts to verify his fingerprints against latent prints from the investigation and track phone numbers associated with his alleged residence near the St. Francis Hotel in Los Angeles. The FBI also examined John Francis Smallwood’s involvement in a 1967 plot to assassinate MLK during a speech in Suffolk, Virginia, and sought to confirm his employment history. Separate investigations explored Shelby Jean Baldridge’s disappearance, linking her to Ray through her husband Elbert Baldridge’s claims of her contact with Eric Ray (Earl Kay). Laundromat records, thermo-seal laundry tags ("20R-3"), and coded timestamps were analyzed as potential evidence. Informants such as Barbara Sue Forbes provided statements about David McGee’s alleged knowledge of MLK’s assassination, while administrative notes referenced declassification under Executive Order 14176 (2025 release).  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (suspected assassin of MLK; subject of fingerprint comparisons and location tracking)  
- **Elbert Baldridge** (husband of Shelby Jean Baldridge, reported missing person case)  
- **Shelby Jean Baldridge** (missing woman linked to Ray through husband’s claims)  
- **John Francis Smallwood** (alleged conspirator in 1967 MLK assassination plot)  
- **David McGee** (investigated for possible knowledge of MLK’s assassination; discussed potential locations like Charlotte or Memphis)  
- **Barbara Sue Forbes** (informant who reported McGee’s statements about MLK’s assassination)  
- **Ernest Gaddy** (provided employment records for David McGee)  
- **SA James T. Agher** (conducted investigation in Charlotte, North Carolina)  

Key Locations:  
- **Los Angeles, California** (Ray’s alleged residence near St. Francis Hotel; phone number tracking)  
- **Suffolk, Virginia** (Smallwood’s alleged plot location for 1967 MLK assassination)  
- **Clarksville, Virginia** (Baldridge’s parents’ residence; reported missing person case)  
- **Cary, North Carolina** (laundromat where an unknown white male was described by witnesses)  
- **Charlotte, North Carolina** (investigation hub; credit bureau and financial institution checks)  
- **San Francisco, Sacramento, Redwood City, San Jose, Sausalito** (locations referenced in communications logs)  
- **Culver City, California** (laundry mark "20R-3" identified as originating from this location)  

Key Events:  
- FBI efforts to verify James Earl Ray’s fingerprints against latent prints from MLK assassination investigation  
- Tracking of phone numbers associated with Ray’s alleged Los Angeles residence (November 1967–March 1968)  
- Examination of John Francis Smallwood’s employment history and potential role in 1967 MLK assassination plot  
- Investigation into Shelby Jean Baldridge’s disappearance, including her husband’s claims of contact with Eric Ray (Earl Kay)  
- Informant reports about David McGee’s statements regarding MLK’s assassination and possible locations (Charlotte or Memphis)  
- Analysis of laundromat records and thermo-seal laundry tags ("20R-3") as potential evidence  
- Administrative updates on case status and declassification under Executive Order 14176 (2025 release)  

Key Organizations:  
- **FBI** (Federal Bureau of Investigation; central to fingerprint comparisons, location checks, and informant coordination)  
- **Local law enforcement agencies** (e.g., Raleigh PD, Wilson PD, Suffolk police; cooperated with FBI on missing persons and conspiracy investigations)  
- **Stylecraft Packing Company** (employment records for David McGee)  
- **Laundry services** (e.g., Acme Laundry & Cleaners, Roxy Drive in Clemens; referenced in evidence tracking)  
- **Credit bureaus and financial institutions** (surveyed in North Carolina counties for investigative leads)

MLK Declassified Files

44-ce-1365_738554_04-04-part_2_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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