</s>444/879 CLASSIFICATION NO. Volume Number 6 44 Serials 402-430 5-5-0-0 9-9-0 0-0 5-0.0-5.0.5-9.0 0.0 -0.1-0,0-1.0 or Addicted to THIS FILE f Jattifr REAU FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HO-HOUSTON HO-0044-00111B: HO Class: / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # Serial # 0444 1509 6 402 430 COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATION.S. 6/06/7790 INVESTIGATION DO NOT RRP003005.OA DESTROY FOLPA # 12020244. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178 America File Number #/2.88/1 DO NOT DESTROY - PENDING LITIGATION - Pending LITICATION - DO NOT DESTRY - PENDAIY - PENTIGATION. FOLA # 12020444. 2025 Release UNDER E O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into potential connections between long-distance telephone calls made in December 1967 and individuals associated with Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The records include call logs from San Antonio, Houston, and El Paso, referencing numbers linked to "CURLY MAYS," "EMMA JOHNSON," and other names. The FBI sought information on James Earl Ray (J.E. Ray), later identified as the accused in MLK’s assassination, and Charles Stein, who allegedly traveled along Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90 during December 15–17, 1967. Calls made from public telephones near these routes were analyzed to track suspect movements. The investigation also included fingerprint comparisons confirming H.W. Manning (a man resembling Ray observed in Tucson) was not Ray, as well as administrative directives and "ARMED AND DANGEROUS" alerts related to security concerns.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (J.E. Ray): Identified as the accused in MLK’s assassination; central figure in phone call investigations.  
- Charles Stein: Allegedly associated with travel routes under investigation.  
- CurlY Mays: Name noted on a phone card, possibly linked to calls from San Antonio.  
- Emma Johnson: Listed as a person called during the investigation period.  
- H.W. Manning: Individual resembling Ray observed in Tucson; fingerprint comparisons conducted.  
- Kermit F. Johnson: Motel employee who noted resemblance between Manning and Ray.  
- Colonel Paul Thornburg: Texas Divisional Commander involved in Salvation Army outreach.  
- SA James J. Sherman: Investigator in Corpus Christi, Texas.  

Key Locations  
- San Antonio, Texas: Origin of call records and FBI operations; location of H.W. Manning’s residence.  
- Houston, Texas: Destination of calls and FBI office conducting checks.  
- Tucson, Arizona: Motel where Manning was observed on May 19, 1968.  
- Dallas, Texas: Salvation Army outreach efforts for Ray’s identification.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: References to correspondence and investigation.  
- Interstates 10 and U.S. Highway 90: Routes monitored for suspect movements.  

Key Events  
- FBI surveillance of H.W. Manning in Tucson on May 19, 1968; fingerprint comparison confirming no match to James Earl Ray.  
- Investigation into long-distance calls made from San Antonio to Houston during December 15–17, 1967, linked to potential threats or connections to MLK’s assassination.  
- Requests for subscriber information to identify callers associated with J.E. Ray and Charles Stein.  
- "ARMED AND DANGEROUS" alerts noted in records, indicating heightened security concerns.  
- Coordination with Texas DPS and Salvation Army for identification efforts.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted the investigation; San Antonio and Houston divisions involved.  
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Provided fingerprint comparisons and license plate checks.  
- Salvation Army: Involved in outreach for Ray’s identification.  
- Southwestern Bell Telephone Company: Provided call data for analysis.  
- American Insurance Association: Mentioned in unrelated insurance claimant search.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ho-1509_sec_006_ser_402-430-part_1_of_8.pdf

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