</s>RECO. U.S. POLICIES FBI HAR 23 5.14 WHT Bb. U.S . DEFI. OF JUSTICE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The document contains fragmented FBI communications and investigative notes related to James Earl Ray’s activities and the investigation into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. It includes records of interviews with individuals who viewed a photograph of Ray but could not identify him, noting that Vincent had seen the photo in media but no direct knowledge of the assassination. Mexican immigration records for Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, were reviewed for April 5–6, 1968, and found to contain no record of James Earl Ray or his aliases. A reference to Angel Stickelbault was noted as a possible connection. The FBI added Ray to the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list on April 20, 1968, citing his alleged conspiracy to violate civil rights and commit murder during the assassination of MLK. Ray’s criminal history includes armed robbery, burglary, and forging U.S. Postal Money Orders. His physical description includes a straight nose, even teeth, protruding left ear, and a habit of tugging an earlobe. The document also references FBI efforts to track Ray’s movements, including his alleged travel in a 1966 Mustang recovered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional notes mention Rev. A.D. Williams King’s whereabouts in Louisville, Kentucky, and attempts by SA Walsh to contact him regarding potential information about the assassination.  

A letter dated April 16, 1968, from Leon J. Brown of Glendale, California, addressed to J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI, expresses skepticism about the agency’s handling of the MLK assassination investigation. Brown references a prior article by Drew Pearson criticizing the FBI’s political involvement and suggests that someone in King’s party may have had knowledge of the attack. He questions whether the FBI will ever uncover the truth, citing potential conspiracies and societal hatred. Additional telegrams and memos from the FBI (April 1968) discuss investigations into James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to MLK’s assassination. These include coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Little Rock. The documents reference Ray’s incarceration at the Missouri State Penitentiary, his alleged drug activities, and connections to inmates like Raymond Curtis. A claim of a $1 million bounty on King by a business association is noted as speculative. The FBI also tracks potential suspects such as the Drake brothers and Daley brothers, with some described as out of prison and active in St. Louis.  

Fragmented reports from April 18, 1968, mention investigations into MLK’s assassination, including an FBI warrant issued for Eric Galt, a riverboat cook linked to the murder through media reports. Witnesses express doubt about Galt’s involvement, with conflicting accounts of his presence in Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee. References to "ghost" or "galt" appear in unclear contexts, possibly indicating confusion or misidentification. The RCMP document details their investigation into Galt’s whereabouts, noting he resided at Harkay Apts. in Montreal from July 18, 1967, to June 3, 1968. Apartment records show no long-distance calls, utilities paid by the landlord, and no confirmed tenant activity beyond a brief stay. The RCMP notes efforts to verify Galt’s identity through photos and interviews but found no conclusive evidence. A lease agreement from Harkay Apartments is also included, outlining rental terms and responsibilities, though unrelated to the assassination investigation.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Fugitive accused of conspiring to assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., added to the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.  
- Rev. A.D. Williams King: Reverend associated with the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, and a subject of FBI inquiries regarding potential information about the assassination.  
- Leon J. Brown: Sender of a letter to J. Edgar Hoover expressing skepticism about the FBI’s handling of the MLK assassination investigation.  
- Eric Galt: Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination through FBI warrants; investigated by RCMP for residency in Montreal.  
- Raymond Curtis: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary connected to James Earl Ray.  
- Russell Lee Martin: Inmate incarcerated with Ray at Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- J. Edgar Hoover: FBI Director, recipient of Leon J. Brown’s letter.  
- Quintal: RCMP officer involved in identifying Eric Galt.  
- Mr. and Mrs. Harley Apts.: Landlords at Harkay Apts., Montreal.  
- Kathy: Individual mentioned in connection with Eric Galt’s background.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel.  
- Nuevo Laredo, Mexico: Mexican immigration records reviewed for James Earl Ray’s travel.  
- Atlanta, Georgia: Location of a 1966 Mustang recovered weeks after MLK’s assassination.  
- Louisville, Kentucky: Rev. A.D. Williams King’s residence and church location.  
- Glendale, California: Leon J. Brown’s address.  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Suspected presence of Drake brothers and Daley brothers.  
- Kansas City, Missouri: FBI office involved in tracking suspects.  
- Little Rock, Arkansas: FBI office coordinating investigations.  
- Montreal, Canada: Harkay Apts., where Eric Galt resided.  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- April 20, 1968: James Earl Ray added to the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list by the FBI.  
- April 5–6, 1968: Mexican immigration records for Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, reviewed without finding Ray or his aliases.  
- April 23, 1968: Salvatore Liberto scheduled for an interview; Vincent and others viewed a photograph of Ray but could not identify him.  
- April 17–22, 1968: FBI communications about Ray’s alleged unlawful flight, interstate robbery charges, and conspiracy to violate civil rights.  
- April 16, 1968: Leon J. Brown wrote a letter to J. Edgar Hoover expressing skepticism about the FBI’s handling of the MLK assassination investigation.  
- April 1968: FBI coordinated investigations into James Earl Ray and associates across multiple offices.  
- April 18, 1968: FBI issued warrants for Eric Galt following MLK’s assassination; RCMP investigated his residency in Montreal.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities and the assassination of MLK.  
- U.S. Department of Justice: Issued directives for FBI actions, including the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): Investigated Eric Galt’s residency in Montreal.  
- Missouri State Penitentiary: Site of James Earl Ray’s incarceration and connections to inmates like Raymond Curtis.  
- International School of Bartending: Mentioned as Eric Galt’s former institution.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_06-01-part_6_of_7.pdf

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