</s>CE 44-1365 CFWidmb 12 Deputy Sheriff POTWEAT described POWELL as a white male, six feet tall, 145 pounds, dark skin and a hair, one slightly cooked eye, and about 2 years of age. Carolina Probation Officer, AVERY C. EVIN, North is on probation under officer, advised that JOHN POWELL information had been received indicating that POWELL, after he ran from the courthouse on April 2, 1968, that POWELL was born P On April 18, 1968. Sergeant BILL PAYNE, Hickory Police Department, advised THAT RONNIE CHRISTENBURG had returned to Hickory, that it was learned that he been in the company of JOHN POWELL. On April 24, 1969, North Carolina Probation Officer AVENUEH has been reported to have returned RONNIE CHRISTENBURGH and was reported to Have returned to that county. He said he has known POWELL for several to that court, he was not family and backordered He said POWELLs was not legally and acknowledged with Jane EARL RAY in connection with the assassination of KING. On April 2k, 1968; HUGH HUTCHINS, Valdess, North Carolina Police Department advised that POWILL is a native of that city, married to a local POWELL and is well known known to the police, who have arrested him on numerous occasions. He held POWELL does not resemble in any respect the photographs of JAMES BARL 1942. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI and local law enforcement investigations into individuals suspected of involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), focusing on tracking suspects such as James Earl Ray, John Powell, Earl Freeman Davis, Nicholas Nathaniel Caulder, Jack Maynard Ray, and George E. McLamb. The investigation spans multiple locations in North Carolina (Durham, Greensboro, Hickory, Charlotte, Laurel Hill, Colonial Heights) and Georgia (Atlanta), with coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, Charlotte, Richmond, and administrative communications regarding suspect tracking, telephone records, and witness statements. Key figures include Ray, a suspect linked to threats against MLK in 1965 and alleged involvement in the assassination plot; Powell, a white male tracked in North Carolina from April 1968; Davis, a construction worker with criminal history; Caulder, a former informant who claimed to have been at home on April 4, 1968; and McLamb, an individual interviewed regarding alleged ties to Ray. The documents reference efforts to verify suspects’ whereabouts through informants, phone records, and interviews with family members (e.g., Susie Whitt, Mae Helms). Investigations also include administrative details about teletype transmissions, coded identifiers for tracking, and photographic identification attempts.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified as a suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in multiple communications and labeled "ARMED AND DANGEROUS."  
- **John Powell**: White male, six feet tall, 145 pounds, dark skin, one slightly cooked eye; tracked in North Carolina from April 1968.  
- **Earl Freeman Davis**: Suspected involvement; described as a white male, 45 years old, employed in construction; denied knowledge of the assassination.  
- **Nicholas Nathaniel Caulder**: Former informant; resided in Laurel Hill, North Carolina; claimed to have been at home on April 4, 1968.  
- **Jack Maynard Ray**: Linked to threats against MLK in 1965; described as a former bank robber with criminal history (robbery convictions in 1942, public intoxication in 1967).  
- **George E. McLamb**: Interviewed regarding alleged ties to Jack Maynard Ray and false accusations against the Durham County Citizens Council.  
- **Susie Whitt**: Sister of Jack Maynard Ray; provided information about his departure from Durham and lack of contact.  
- **Mae Helms**: Wife of Jack Ray, located in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

Key Locations  
- **Durham, NC**: Central to investigations involving Ray’s past residences, employment (e.g., Charlotte Memorial Hospital), and ties to the Durham County Citizens Council.  
- **Greensboro, NC**: Mentioned in context of a laundry company (Friedman Laundry Machine Co.) and records checks.  
- **Hickory, NC**: Ronnie Christenburgh’s reported presence; linked to Powell’s movements.  
- **Charlotte, NC**: FBI field offices, Ray’s last known residence, and Mae Helms’ location.  
- **Colonial Heights, VA**: Earl Freeman Davis’s employment and police records.  
- **Laurel Hill, NC**: Nicholas Nathaniel Caulder’s residence.  
- **Atlanta, GA**: Involved in tracking suspects via hotel staff and photographic identification efforts.  
- **Memphis, TN**: FBI coordination and bedspread investigation; referenced in administrative communications.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination; Nicholas Nathaniel Caulder claimed to have been at home watching television.  
- **April 2, 1968**: John Powell fled the courthouse; reported movements in North Carolina.  
- **April 26, 1968**: FBI and local police initiated investigations into Earl Freeman Davis and James Earl Ray.  
- **Investigation into Jack Maynard Ray’s whereabouts**: Includes interviews with family members (e.g., Susie Whitt), employment records checks, and surveillance of his movements.  
- **False allegations against the Durham County Citizens Council**: McLamb reported Ray falsely accused the organization of hiring him for the assassination.  
- **Photographic identification efforts**: Attempts to match suspects to photographs taken in Mexico, California, and other locations.  
- **Surveillance and informants**: Use of hotel staff (e.g., bellhops) and local police to identify potential suspects.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI** (Memphis, Charlotte, Richmond divisions; coordinated investigations, maintained files on suspects).  
- **Local law enforcement agencies** (Hickory, Colonial Heights, Laurel Hill; provided police records and witness statements).  
- **Durham County Citizens Council**: Allegedly linked to Ray’s past activities; investigated for alleged ties to the assassination plot.  
- **Construction companies** (Bryant Construction Company; linked to Nicholas Nathaniel Caulder’s employment).  
- **Charlotte Police Department**: Provided records on Ray’s residence and employment.  
- **Durham Police Department**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities.  
- **General Telephone Company**: Involved in tracking Ray’s communications.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ce-1365_738554_04-05-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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