</s>H. S. Departurent of Jumtice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILER) ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREN IS UNCLASSIFIED of DATE: 3/3/3-3/2-2/2 INVESTIGATION Volume Number: 17-2-7/2 Bureaua File Number: 44-3876/ Sardia. See also Nos. DO NOT DESMOV. DREENE FOR 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document outlines the FBI’s investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., linking James Earl Ray to the crime. Ray, identified by multiple aliases including Eric Starvo Galt, was added to the FBI’s "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list on April 20, 1968, following a fingerprint match between latent prints from the Dr. King case and Ray’s records. The FBI confirmed his identity through comparisons with over 53,000 fingerprints in its database. Ray had a criminal history dating to 1949, including convictions for burglary, armed robbery, and forging U.S. Postal Money Orders. He was previously incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary (1960) and other facilities, with a 20-year sentence for armed robbery. The text also notes his physical description, employment history, and aliases. Additional sections of the document include unrelated administrative records such as laundry services, phone numbers, form entries, and clothing descriptions, which appear to be part of separate or non-related filings.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Primary suspect in Dr. King’s assassination; linked to multiple aliases (Eric Starvo Galt, Harvey Lawyer, John Willard, etc.).  
- **J. Edgar Hoover**: FBI Director who ordered Ray’s inclusion in the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Civil rights leader assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination and Ray’s alleged involvement.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Where Ray was incarcerated prior to his escape in 1967.  
- **Los Angeles County Jail**  
- **Fulton, Missouri (State Hospital)**  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. King assassinated while on the balcony of a Memphis motel.  
- **April 20, 1968**: FBI adds James Earl Ray to its "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.  
- **April 17, 1968**: Federal warrant issued charging Ray with conspiracy to interfere with civil rights.  
- **April 23, 1967**: Ray’s escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **1949–1960**: Ray’s criminal history, including convictions for burglary, armed robbery, and forging U.S. Postal Money Orders.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint analysis and issued warrants for Ray’s arrest.  
- **United States Department of Justice (DOJ)**: Oversight body for FBI operations and legal actions.  

Additional Document Content  
The text includes unrelated administrative records such as laundry services (e.g., "SANTONE DRY CLEANERS"), phone numbers, form entries (e.g., FD-340), and items like clothing descriptions ("Shirt D Polo K Pants") and dry-cleaning services. These sections appear to be part of separate or non-related filings within the same document set.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ce-1365_738554_05-06.pdf

Document Summary

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