</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Via (Priority) DL 44-2649 PAGE TWO WHO APPARENTLY ARE COOPERATIVE TO EFFECT INTERVIEW UNDER MOST FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. P Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s criminal activities, including allegations of postal money order fraud across multiple states (Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and New Orleans) between 1955 and 1965. Ray’s prison records from the Missouri State Penitentiary are referenced, noting his associations with inmates, drug trafficking (amphetamines and benzodine), and financial misconduct. The FBI sought information on Ray’s movements, potential associates, and criminal history, including interactions with Earl Harris (a St. Louis-based drug dealer) and inmate Wade. Investigations also focused on locating Ray via telephone directories, credit records, and law enforcement databases in Texas cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Abilene, Cleburne, and others. Additionally, the FBI explored connections between Ray and his brother in St. Louis, who allegedly acted as a middleman for drug transactions. A separate 1968 investigation examined individuals with surnames like Harvey Lowerweyer/Lowmer/Loweier, Loweyer, Eric S. Galt, and others linked to the MLK assassination, but found no records in Texas counties (e.g., Taylor, Kaufman, Navarro, Ellis) or across 1959–1968 timeframes. A thermoseal laundry tag investigation was also conducted, possibly related to evidence from the MLK case.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; linked to postal money order fraud, drug trafficking, and prison misconduct.  
- **Earl Harris**: St. Louis-based "Negro kingpin" suspected of selling amphetamines to Black communities.  
- **Wade (FNU)**: Inmate associated with Ray’s alleged drug dealings.  
- **Abby (Billy Brown Abby)**: Prisoner who interacted with Ray and provided details about his behavior and activities.  
- **John B. Fulsks**: FBI special agent conducting investigations into Eric Starvo Galt (possibly a pseudonym for Ray).  
- **Harvey Lowerweyer/Lowmer/Loweier, Loweyer, Eric S. Galt**: Subjects of 1968 searches linked to MLK assassination investigation.  
- **SA Robert P. Butter, SA John Kammerman, SA Raymond M. Lester Jr., SA W. J. Wilkinson Jr., SA San C. Cotton, SA Larry B. Rissier, SA Wilton H. Bremer, SA Charles L. Brown Jr., SA Joe A. Pearce, SA Del D. Drake Jr., SA Thomas N. O’Malley**: FBI agents involved in investigations.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Ray’s incarceration site; key to understanding his criminal associations.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Hub for drug trafficking networks involving Ray and Earl Harris.  
- **Dallas, Texas**: FBI headquarters for the investigation; multiple sub-agencies (e.g., Fort Worth, Abilene) involved in record checks.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a location for postal money order fraud.  
- **Texas counties**: Taylor, Kaufman, Navarro, Ellis, Rusk, Upshur, Gregg, Harrison, Panola, Nacogdoches, and others; sites of directory and record checks.  

Key Events  
- **Postal Money Order Fraud (1955–1965)**: Ray allegedly passed stolen U.S. Postal Service money orders in multiple states, with amounts ranging from $75 to unspecified sums.  
- **Prison Interactions (1960s)**: Ray’s time at Missouri State Penitentiary included drug trafficking, inmate conflicts (e.g., beating incidents), and associations with other inmates.  
- **FBI Investigations (April 1968)**: Efforts to locate Ray via telephone directories, credit records, and law enforcement databases in Texas cities.  
- **Drug Trafficking Allegations**: Ray’s alleged sale of amphetamines and benzodine, with ties to Earl Harris and other inmates.  
- **Searches for Names Linked to MLK Assassination (1959–1968)**: Negative findings across Texas counties for names like Harvey Lowerweyer/Lowmer/Loweier, Loweyer, Eric S. Galt.  
- **Thermoseal Laundry Tag Investigation**: Examination of laundry facilities for thermoseal marking machines, possibly related to evidence from the MLK case.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Dallas Division)**: Central to the investigation, coordinating efforts across multiple states and agencies.  
- **U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office**: Involved in tracking money order fraud cases linked to Ray.  
- **Retail Merchants Association (RMA)**: Used for record checks in Texas cities like Abilene and Fort Worth.  
- **Credit Bureau Services**: Part of investigative efforts to verify individuals’ identities and financial histories.  
- **Local Police Departments**: Including Denton PD, Lewisville PD, Amarillo PD, Corsicana PD, Terrell PD, Waxahachie PD.  
- **County Sheriff’s Offices**: Including Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.

MLK Declassified Files

44-dl-2649_sec_002_ser_201-325-part_5_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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