</s>FD-248 (Rev. 4:13:00) H. S. Deparment of Justire (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED CLASSIFICATION NO. FEDERAL BUREAU "DO NOT DESTROY" HISTORICAL VALUE. NATIONAL ARCHIVES HISTORTICAL VALUES. FEDERAL BUREAU FUTURE FILE REVIEWED HISTIORICAL L.CLASSIFICATIO of ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE/LA SPORICIC DAVIL/LA INVESTIGATION INVESIGATION Bureau File Number Sample. Volume Number: Chia Chia 13/22/24K NATIONALARCHIVES' HISTorical VALUE, DO NOT DESTION, P.T.H.L.F.A.Lust P.14007 P.4/2007 P.5/1/4/25 DO NOT DISTROY, HISTORYAL VALUE! DO NOT DISTROY, See also Nos. ENTIRE FILE REVEWED FOR HISTORICIAL DECLASSIFICATION MUSICATI: 18.9040 2023 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented records from multiple FBI field offices (SAC) detailing investigations into potential associates of James Earl Ray (JER) following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key figures include Lloyd Gene Bass, Sr., a suspect linked to MLK’s death, and efforts to locate him through contacts in Texas, including Mary Bass and Henry Cox. The text references alleged movements of "RAY," described as associated with the assassination, including travel between Memphis, Kansas City, Belle Glade, Florida, and Cuba. Descriptions of vehicles (e.g., a blue Buck car) and potential witnesses (e.g., Willie Shea, Harold’s Cafe) are included. Financial ties, such as credit card use, are noted. The FBI also investigated LESTER EDWARD PACKETT, verifying his identity and location through Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles records. Forensic analysis from the Alton, Illinois bank robbery case by NATMAR, Inc. is mentioned alongside cost tracking for the MLK investigation (man-hours, mileage, expenses). A letter purportedly written by JER from Heathfield Road Prison in London was published in the Chicago Daily News, referencing financial arrangements and a request for $600 to Arthur Hanes. The FBI requested handwriting comparisons between the letter and known samples of JER’s writing. Redacted sections and unclear text are noted, with some parts marked as "deleted at request of family."  

Key People  
- Lloyd Gene Bass, Sr. (suspect linked to MLK’s assassination)  
- Mary Bass (spouse of Lloyd Gene Bass, Sr.)  
- Henry Cox (Limestone County Sheriff’s Office contact)  
- RAY (alleged perpetrator; described as associated with the assassination)  
- Willie Shea (former associate of RAY)  
- LESTER EDWARD PACKETT (subject of FBI investigation)  
- James Earl Ray (JER, accused of MLK’s assassination)  
- John Ray (brother of JER; arrested in Memphis on July 9, 1968 for public intoxication)  
- Arthur Hanes (attorney mentioned in the letter)  
- Percy Forman (mentioned in the letter)  
- ION Barlett (Chicago Daily News contact)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (John Ray’s arrest, JER’s alleged connections)  
- Kansas City, Missouri (RAY’s alleged travel route)  
- Belle Glade, Florida (RAY’s alleged travel route)  
- Cuba (RAY’s alleged travel route)  
- Alton, Illinois (bank robbery case with forensic analysis by NATMAR, Inc.)  
- Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Daily News publication of the letter)  
- London, England (Heathfield Road Prison, where JER allegedly wrote the letter)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (FBI SAC location)  

Key Events  
- FBI efforts to locate Lloyd Gene Bass, Sr., and verify his connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- Investigation into RAY’s alleged movements, including travel routes, vehicle descriptions, and potential witnesses.  
- Forensic analysis of laundry marks from the Alton, Illinois bank robbery by NATMAR, Inc.  
- FBI cost tracking for the MLK investigation (man-hours, mileage, expenses).  
- Search for LESTER EDWARD PACKETT through Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles records.  
- John Ray’s arrest in Memphis on July 9, 1968, for public intoxication.  
- Publication of a letter attributed to James Earl Ray in the Chicago Daily News, referencing financial arrangements and a request for $600 to Arthur Hanes.  
- Request for handwriting analysis of the letter to verify its authenticity.  
- Redaction of sections from the letter at family request.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- National Marking Machine Co. (NATMAR, Inc.)  
- Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles  
- Chicago Daily News  
- Memphis Police Department  
- St. Louis Police Department

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_03-02-part_1_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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