</s>FRI DALLAS A45 PM CST URGENT 4-29-69 JJP TO DIRECTOR (44-38861), HOUSTON (44+1509), MEMPHIS (44~1987) AND DALLAS (44)-2649) FROM SAN ANTONIO (44-(44-1249) 2P MURKIN RE BUTEL, APRIL TWENTYFIVE, LAST, INSTRUCTING LONGISTANCE CALLS BE CHECKED ON ROUTES THROUGH TEXAS THAT RAY AND CHARLES STEIN ALLEGEDLY TOOK . HOUSTON TELETYPE TO BUREAU, APRILL TWENTYEIGHT, LAST. RE: LOUIS LOMAX - CHARLES STERN. FOR INFO DALLAIS, REFERENCED HOUSTONTELETYPE REFLYPE REFLECTS LOMAY AND STEIN REPORTED IDENTIFIED A COIN TELEPHONE LOCATED AT ENCO SERVICE STATION ROUTE NINETY, WALDE, TEXA, AS ONE ALLEGEGLY USED BY RAY TO MAKE CALL TO NEW ORLEANS BETWEEN HOURS OF SIX P.M. AND NINE P. M ., DECEMBER SIXTEEN, SIXTYSEVEN. TELLPHONE NUMBER OF THIS TELEPHONIC IS BR EIGHT DASH NINE ZERO FOUR EIGHT. CONFIDENTIAL SOURCE AT TELEFHONE COMPANY, HOUSTON ADVISED NO CALLS MADE TO NEW OLEANS FROM THIS TELEHONE DURING MONTH DECEMBER, NO CALS MADE to NEW SIXTEEVEN. SAN ANTONIQUE IS CHECKING ON ALL CALLS FROM THAT TELEphONE TO SUBSSRIBERS LISTED IN SAN ANTONIO DIVISION AREA FOR DATES DECEMBER FIFTEEN-S EVENTEEN, SIXYSEVEN, INCLUSIVIT END PAGE ONE. LL-36U9-307 SEARCHED: SEARCHING: SENIALED: 1983-1983 Lendh amnay SENALIZED: 1963-1983 Husnay, mamn DALLA'S 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document details FBI communications from April 1968 regarding investigations into James Earl Ray, a fugitive linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key elements include scrutiny of telephone calls made from Texas to New Orleans in December 1967, which were allegedly used by Ray to coordinate activities. The FBI requested verification of call records and phone numbers associated with his movements. Ray’s inclusion in the FBI’s "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list on April 20, 1968, is noted, alongside investigations into stolen vehicles from Georgia recovered in Texas. San Antonio Division reviewed case files to identify potential connections to Ray. The document also references Frank G. Niles, a suspect linked to extremist groups and alleged threats against civil rights leaders, including Dr. King. Niles was tracked for his possession of a sniper rifle and purported intent to kill MLK if it would prevent integration. Telephone calls made by an individual named Ray during travel from Los Angeles to New Orleans were traced through public coin phones in Texas as part of an investigation into potential conspirators.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (fugitive, linked to MLK assassination)  
- Frank G. Niles (Frank H. Niles): Suspect linked to extremist groups and alleged threats against Dr. King  
- Louis Lomax and Charles Stein (alleged associates of Ray)  
- Walter T. Rife and Charles Earl Ray (convicted burglars, March 1965)  
- J. Gordon Shanklin (FBI Special Agent in Charge)  
- B. Tom Carter (FBI Special Agent)  

Key Locations:  
- Dallas, Texas  
- Houston, Texas  
- Memphis, Tennessee  
- San Antonio, Texas  
- Atlanta, Georgia  
- New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Fort Worth, Texas  
- Ellsworth Falls, Maine  
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico  
- San Angelo, Texas  

Key Events:  
- FBI investigation into telephone calls from Texas to New Orleans in December 1967.  
- Ray’s inclusion in the FBI’s "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list (April 20, 1968).  
- Review of stolen vehicles from Georgia recovered in Texas (March–April 1968).  
- Conviction of Walter T. Rife and Charles Earl Ray for burglary in Missouri (March 1965).  
- FBI tracking of Frank Niles’ activities, including his alleged possession of a sniper rifle and threats against Dr. King.  
- Investigation into telephone calls made by an individual named Ray during travel from Los Angeles to New Orleans via public coin phones in Texas.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service  
- American Nazi Party (linked to Frank Niles)  
- National Auto Theft Bureau (NATB)  
- Texas Department of Public Safety

MLK Declassified Files

44-dl-2649_sec_002_ser_201-325-part_8_of_8.pdf

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