</s>RECU'D-TELETYPE UNIT FBI APR 27 7 13 PM '68 1.5.1.2.1:1.1-1.4.1 1.6.1 1.1 -1.0.1,1.3.1

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and connections to James Earl Ray, focusing on teletype communications from April 27, 1968. Dr. William Hutto of Columbia, South Carolina, reported observing a gray Volkswagen with license plate 7DE8205 traveling near Interstate 26 at high speed, described as resembling Ray. The vehicle’s license plate was linked to Charles Wortz of Marietta, Georgia, who was deemed non-suspect due to his stable employment and community standing. John De Santis, Jr., registered at a Texas motel, was noted for having no American currency and resembling Ray but was not confirmed as the subject. Investigations into Paul Varner Linehard and Antonio Munoz in Mexico explored potential connections to Ray, though no conclusive links were found. Benny Kalber Pinkston of Arkansas denied involvement in MLK’s assassination and provided details about his mental health history and military service. The FBI also pursued inquiries into Ray’s alleged activities, including interactions with inmates, legal efforts, and prison escape planning, while verifying phone records and informants’ reports.  

Key People  
- Dr. William Hutto (observer in South Carolina)  
- Charles Wortz (linked to license plate 7DE8205)  
- John De Santis, Jr. (registered at Texas motel)  
- Paul Varner Linehard (Mexican informant)  
- Antonio Munoz (Mexican immigration official)  
- Benny Kalber Pinkston (Arkansas inmate denying involvement in MLK’s murder)  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK)  
- Walter E. Nolan, John D. Hagan, Camilla Teasley (Southern Bell Telephone manager), Richard Long (FBI division), Sam Kramer (St. Louis restaurant owner), Les Carmichael (news caster), Donald Eugene Sparks (prisoner)  

Key Locations  
- Columbia, South Carolina (observation of suspect vehicle)  
- Marietta, Georgia (Charles Wortz residence)  
- Texas (John De Santis, Jr. motel registration)  
- Mexico (Antonio Munoz and Paul Varner Linehard investigation)  
- Arkansas (Benny Kalber Pinkston’s incarceration)  
- St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; Shreveport, Louisiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Payne, Alabama; Kansas City, Missouri; Renn Farm (corrected from Church Farm)  

Key Events  
- April 27, 1968: Observation of suspect vehicle near Columbia, South Carolina  
- Investigation into Charles Wortz’s vehicle and background  
- Tracking John De Santis, Jr. in Texas and Mexico  
- Mexican authorities’ failure to identify Linehard/Mendez as the subject  
- Pinkston’s denial of involvement in MLK’s assassination and mental health details  
- FBI interviews with suspects regarding Ray’s alleged involvement in King’s assassination  
- Telephone number investigations (e.g., verifying numbers linked to Ray or potential conspirators)  
- Corrections to prison farm details (Renn Farm instead of Church Farm)  
- Inquiries into Ray’s legal activities and escape planning  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company  
- Local law enforcement agencies in St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Fort Payne, and Kansas City  
- Mexican immigration authorities

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_07-04-part_4_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search