</s>H. S. Department of Justire 44-HC-38981 SERIALS ONLY ORG. COPY A STYLES 53903 ONLY DRG. COPY A (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE H.S. Department Of Justire H. H.C. 38981 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE'S A CLASSIFICATION CONTAILED HEREIN A CLASSIFICATION OF A DATE A/B/A/C/L/S/A, A/C, L/A-L/A. SECTION 39 DO NOT DESTROY HISTORIAL ARCHIVES NATIONAL ARCHIVES ATTENTION SERIAL 3501.03 ONLY ORIGINAL & COPY. A BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATIONS OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FOI/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 56767. FOI /PA SECTION Unit D, EXT. 5767. FB/PA SECTON UNITD. Transfer-Call 421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967 and subsequent inquiries into his activities, including alleged connections to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interviews with inmates and prison staff describe Ray’s work in the bakery, his use of a bread box during an escape attempt, and interactions with other prisoners. Statements from witnesses suggest Ray was not known for violence or prejudice against Black individuals, though some speculated he might have been involved in drug trafficking. The FBI collected handwriting samples for comparison and conducted forensic analysis to link potential signatures. A warrant for Ray’s arrest was issued on April 24, 1968, citing unlawful flight and robbery charges. The documents also reference administrative notes about document handling and lab reports comparing handwriting specimens. One portion of the text references a claim that Walter Nolan may have been involved in MLK’s assassination, though this is presented as part of an ongoing inquiry rather than confirmed evidence.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary on April 23, 1967; described as a quiet, solitary individual with no known close friends.  
- **RAY EUGENE WARREN**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary and former cellmate of Ray.  
- **Walter Nolan**: Alleged associate of Ray linked to MLK’s assassination in the report.  
- **Billy Edward Miles (#02185)**: Inmate who claimed to know Ray from prison; mentioned Ray’s drug use and lack of close associates.  
- **Jimmy Z. Bradley (#71941)**: Inmate who detailed Ray’s drug habits and reclusive nature, stating he would not kill unless threatened.  
- **Orlan Eugene Rose (#73723)**: Inmate who described Ray as a careful spender with no abnormal behavior but noted rumors of family ties in St. Louis.  
- **Barber**: Soldier stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, who met with individuals allegedly planning MLK’s assassination.  
- **Johnnie Blackwell**: Female acquaintance of Barber mentioned in the context of meetings.  
- **June Taylor**: Roommate of Johnnie Blackwell; present at some meetings.  
- **J. Edgar Hoover**: Mentioned as a figure referenced by an individual regarding MLK’s alleged Communist ties.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, Missouri)**: Site of Ray’s imprisonment and escape.  
- **Renz Farm**: Prison farm where Ray worked and was allegedly hidden in a bread box.  
- **Columbia, South Carolina**: Central location for meetings involving individuals allegedly planning MLK’s assassination.  
- **Fort Jackson, South Carolina**: Barber’s military base.  
- **Springfield, Missouri**: Where Carlos Lef Billings was incarcerated during the FBI interview.  
- **Selma-to-Montgomery march route, Alabama**: Proposed site for the planned machine-gunning of protesters.  
- **Canal Bank Inn**: Mentioned as a location where attempts to acquire a weapon occurred.  

Key Events  
- **April 1967 Escape**: Ray allegedly escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary using a bread box, with inmates and guards noting unusual delivery procedures.  
- **FBI Investigations (April 1968)**: Conducted interviews with inmates to gather information on Ray’s prison behavior, drug use, and potential connections to criminal networks.  
- **Alleged Assassination Plot**: Individuals identified as James and Eddie planned to assassinate MLK using a machine gun during a protest march in Alabama, fleeing to Mexico via freighter to Australia.  
- **Warrant Issuance**: A warrant for Ray’s arrest was issued on April 24, 1968, citing unlawful flight and robbery charges.  
- **Release of Article by Warden Swenson**: Urged Ray to surrender, suggesting he might have been framed for a robbery charge.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, forensic analysis, and administrative documentation.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Institutional setting for Ray’s imprisonment and escape.  
- **VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)**: Mentioned as a location for one of the meetings in the alleged assassination plot.  
- **Military services**: Barber’s background as a soldier stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_12-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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