</s>FEDERAL GUITAR OF INVESTIGAT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATION OF SECTIC 20 A 1 TELETYPE 0 PFI WASH DC Mr. Teller Mr. Traveler FRI WAN CITY Tele: Teller Miss Candy 1210AM URGENT 5-18-69 DJB 1210am URGEST (44-3PF61) MEMPHIS, BIRMINGHAM, MIAMI, LAS VEGAS, DETROIT & KNOXVILLE FROM KANSAS CITY (44~760) 1P MURKIN RE LOS ANGELES TEL MAY SEVENTEEN LAST. INVESTIGATION KANSASCITY CITY SUBURBAN AIRPORTS NEGATIVE AS TO PLANE OF WILLIAM PIERCE. AGENTS ELIMINATED ALL MOVING COMPANIES IN AREA DESCRIBED BY AGENTS TIMES REPORTER BY PHYSICAL OBSERVATION. LOS ANGELES TIMES REPORTER BY PHYSIAL OSPREVIOUS INMATE MISSOURI WARDEN HAROLD SWENSON ADVISED NO PREVIOUS IMATE MISSOURI STATE PENTENTIARY NAMED FRANK BICKLEY O RED-GLAR NAME AND STATE PENITIARY NAME FRANK RICKLEY OR BEDGLAR NAMET. VARIATION MISSOURSI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL NEGATIVE RE FRANK BIICKLEY. VARIZATION BRICKLEY REFERRED TO RE LOS ANGELS TEL WILL PE CHECKED AM MAY FIGHTEEN INSTANT. ARMED AND DANGERPOUS 15 MAY 20 1968 FND FRI WASY DC 57 MAY 23 1968 c. 1.1.9.9 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains telegraphic communications and investigative reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Department of Justice regarding inquiries into potential connections between individuals and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key elements include investigations into Frank Brickley, a man linked to Ray (possibly James Earl Ray), who was incarcerated alongside Ray. Brickley’s criminal history, financial transactions, and associations are examined, with Leamont Anderson White noted as a Western Union employee who sent money to Brickley. The FBI seeks information on suspects such as Connie (Conrad Torrowo), Willi Shea, and James Earl Pay, focusing on their ties to MLK’s assassination through financial or personal connections. Gun purchases, hotel stays, and prison records are referenced, with locations including Memphis, Las Vegas, Reno, Kansas City, Birmingham, Detroit, St. Louis, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and other U.S. cities.  

The document also includes inquiries into Benjamin Larnard Thompson Jr., a fisherman in Miami, Florida, who denied knowledge of MLK’s assassination or ties to suspects like Ray. Investigations explored Thompson’s employment history, family ties, and associations with Ronald K. Pierce, William L. Pierce, and Leland X Clifford Pearce, including claims about private planes, KKK affiliations, and financial records. Interviews, city directories, and personnel files were reviewed to assess potential links to the assassination plot.  

Additional communications reference a sighting of an individual resembling James Earl Ray in Arkansas on May 17, 1968, described as a white male driving a red and white Chevrolet station wagon with an unknown New Mexico license plate. Local law enforcement in Oklahoma, Southwest Missouri, and Arkansas were alerted to set up roadblocks. The FBI coordinated with local authorities via radio and state police networks. David Larson and John D. Kendall of the Los Angeles Times met FBI agents in Miami to provide information, with Larson allegedly threatening retaliation for withheld details. William Lincoln Pierce, husband of Gwen Dolyn Pierce, reported their whereabouts during April 4–5, 1968, including a stay at Conch Key, Florida, and travel to Waynesville, North Carolina. Pierce owns Rocky Waters Motel in Waynesville and holds a private pilot’s license obtained in Asheville, North Carolina.  

Key People  
- **Frank Brickley**: Linked to Ray (possibly James Earl Ray), investigated for criminal history, financial transactions, and associations.  
- **Ray** (possibly James Earl Ray): Accused in MLK Jr.’s assassination; incarcerated alongside Brickley.  
- **Leamont Anderson White**: Western Union employee who sent money to Brickley.  
- **Connie** (Conrad Torrowo): Bar manager at Harold’s Cafe, with ties to suspects.  
- **Willi Shea**: Individual with connections to Los Angeles and potential links to suspects.  
- **James Earl Pay**: Subject of photographic identification efforts for MLK assassination ties.  
- **Benjamin Larnard Thompson Jr.**: Fisherman in Miami, Florida; denied knowledge of MLK’s assassination or ties to Ray.  
- **Ronald K. Pierce**: Commercial fisherman in Marathon, Florida; no KKK affiliations or plane ownership.  
- **William L. Pierce**: Welder in Belle Glade, Florida; former cattle owner with no known connections to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Leland X Clifford Pearce**: Land developer in Okeechobee, Florida; owned property and cottages, denied ties to MLK or Ray.  
- **John Rowles**: Private plane operator in Tampa, Florida; interviewed about movements around MLK’s assassination.  
- **Phyllis Reed**: Arkansas resident who reported sighting of suspect resembling Ray.  
- **David Larson**: Los Angeles Times reporter involved in meeting FBI agents in Miami.  
- **John D. Kendall**: Los Angeles Times reporter who met with FBI agents.  
- **William Lincoln Pierce**: Motel owner in Waynesville, North Carolina; private pilot’s license holder.  
- **Gwen Dolyn Pierce**: Wife of William Lincoln Pierce; reported travel to Conch Key and Waynesville.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**  
- **Las Vegas, Nevada**  
- **Reno, Nevada**  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**  
- **Detroit, Michigan**  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**  
- **Chattanooga, Tennessee**  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**  
- **Miami, Florida**  
- **Marathon, Florida**  
- **Belle Glade, Florida**  
- **Okeechobee, Florida**  
- **Tampa, Florida**  
- **Arkansas (Summers, Benton County, Huntsville)**  
- **Oklahoma City**  
- **Waynesville, North Carolina**  
- **Conch Key, Florida**  
- **Asheville, North Carolina**  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Frank Brickley’s criminal history and associations with Ray.  
- Examination of Leamont Anderson White’s financial transactions and ties to suspects.  
- Search for James Earl Pay through photographic identification efforts.  
- Review of prison records confirming Frank Brickley’s incarceration alongside Ray.  
- Tracking of gun purchases and movements in Las Vegas, Reno, and other locations.  
- Monitoring of hotel stays and financial activities of suspected individuals.  
- Investigation into Benjamin Thompson’s employment history and potential ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- Examination of Ronald K. Pierce’s fishing operations and lack of KKK affiliations.  
- Review of William L. Pierce’s cattle ownership and financial records.  
- Interview with John Rowles regarding his movements and private plane usage around MLK’s assassination.  
- Verification of city directories and personnel files to cross-reference suspect identities.  
- Sighting of individual resembling James Earl Ray in Arkansas on May 17, 1968.  
- FBI coordination with local law enforcement to locate suspect and vehicle.  
- Meeting between Los Angeles Times reporters and FBI agents in Miami.  
- Reporting on William Lincoln Pierce’s travel and activities in Florida and North Carolina.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into potential suspects and their backgrounds.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in administrative and investigative processes.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies** (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri): Alerted to set up roadblocks and monitor suspect activity.  
- **Los Angeles Times**: Reporters David Larson and John D. Kendall provided information related to the investigation.  
- **AERODEX**: Employed Benjamin Thompson; records checked for employment history.  
- **Commercial Fishing Industry**: Mentioned as a sector with potential ties to suspects through employment or property ownership.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_13-02-part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search