</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5:22-64) Mr. Tolomeo. Mr. Delosas. Mr. Mohr. Mr. Cappie. Mr. Mohr. Mr. Gales. Mr. Camper. Date: 4/18/68 Mr. Gale. Mr. Gene Transmit the following in PLAINTEXT (Type in plaintext or code) Mr. Rene's Mr. Tave. Via TELETYPE URGENT (Priority) Mr. Rao. Mr. Tax. Teller. R. Mins. T. Teller, R.o. TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) AND SAC, PHILADELPHIA FRON: SAG, WFO (44 -44-7033) FROM: SAC. WFO(44-47-703) MURKIN- CR RE ERNEST S. GAULT. THOMAS A. TINSLEY, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF EMPLOYEE : COMPENSATION THOMAST A. TIMESLEY, D.C ., D ., C ., ADVISED ERNETS S ., GAULT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, WASHINGTON, DC ., ADVISED ERNST S. GULT RECEIVED COMPENSATIONAL IN CONNECTION WITH INJURY SUSTAINED WHILE WORKING INLAND WATERWAYS, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, APRIL EIGHT FIFTYTWO, CASE NUMBER X - SEVEN TWO EIGHT EIGHT THREE ONE. MR. PETER J. DONOVAN, ASSISTANT TO TINSELY, ADVISED JOHN F. WILLARD, INJUIRED MARCH MARCH 5, FITTFOUR WORKED DEFENSE AIR MATS, WESTOVER AFB MASSACHUSETTS, CASE NUMBER x - EIGHT NINE EIGHT SEVEN SEVEN EIGHT. RECORDS AVAILABLE THROUGH REFERENCE SERVICE, ROOM. REC 38 .- 3,38,5,6,1,5-16,6-6,6.6, THREE ZERO EIGHT, FRC NAVAL SUPPLY DEPOT, MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. 2-Bureau 2- Teletype Unit ST-100 1 - Memphis (44-(1987) (AM) 1 - Birmingham (44)-1740) (AN) 1 - St. St. Louis, (446-4740) AM) <loc_113><loc_820>2 - WFO 2 - D. D.Dmb R.D. Domb 0-0.0-2-0-1-0,0-8-0/0-9-0

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and DOJ investigations into individuals linked to threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) following his assassination on April 4, 1968. Key figures include Ernest S. Gault, John F. Willard, Robert Franklin Williams, Eric Stavio Galt, Thomas A. Tinsley, and James Earl Ray (FBI number 4055942). The FBI coordinated with multiple offices to track suspects, verify fingerprints, and gather information on their activities. Robert Franklin Williams, a former prisoner who escaped in 1967, expressed intent to kill MLK. Efforts included fingerprint comparisons of items linked to James Earl Ray, such as a rifle, telescopic sight, binoculars, newspaper, after-shave lotion bottle, Schlitz beer can, and a map of Mexico. A tip referenced a suspect named "Sarchati" connected to Winter, a racist individual who exhibited nervous behavior after returning from a Southern trip. Machinery trades involving Thermo-Seal machines in Rochester and Wausau were also noted, with sales records linked to entities like Statewide Machinery Company. A connection was made between Eric Stavio Galt and a film related to MLK’s assassination, with ties to a cult or group in Los Angeles.  

Key People  
- Ernest S. Gault (investigated for potential ties to MLK-related threats)  
- John F. Willard (injured worker; linked to FBI case files)  
- Robert Franklin Williams (escaped prisoner; expressed intent to kill MLK)  
- Eric Stavio Galt (connected to film and MLK assassination context)  
- Thomas A. Tinsley (Bureau of Employee Compensation official)  
- James Earl Ray (FBI number 4055942; linked to latent fingerprints on murder weapon and other items)  
- Winter (racist individual linked to suspect "Sarchati")  
- Sarchati (suspect in MLK assassination case)  
- Mr. Broton (provided information on machinery trades)  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri (injury incident involving Willard)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI office involved in tracking suspects; linked to James Earl Ray’s investigation)  
- Sanford, North Carolina (Williams’ former residence)  
- Indianapolis, Indiana (suspect’s sister Eunice Smith)  
- Los Angeles, California (Kaiser Foundation Hospital, cult group reference)  
- Rochester, New York  
- Wausau, Wisconsin  
- Syracuse, New York  
- San Diego, California  
- Laguna Beach, California  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Robert Franklin Williams’ escape and threats against MLK (1967–1968).  
- Fingerprint comparison efforts linking James Earl Ray to murder weapon and other items.  
- Coordination between FBI offices in Philadelphia, Memphis, Cleveland, Albany, Buffalo, and Milwaukee for suspect tracking and record checks.  
- Request to locate Eunice Smith (Williams’ sister) in Indiana and verify her connection to Williams.  
- Investigation into machinery trades involving Thermo-Seal machines sold to entities like Statewide Machinery Company.  
- Tip about suspect "Sarchati" connected to Winter’s suspicious behavior post-trip.  
- Mention of a film involving Eric Stavio Galt and MLK’s assassination, with ties to a cult or group in Los Angeles.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Department of Labor (Bureau of Employee Compensation)  
- U.S. Bulk Carriers (ship operator linked to suspect identification)  
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital (location of alleged cult group)  
- Statewide Machinery Company (involved in machinery trades)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_04-02-part_7_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search