</s>PD-263 (Feb. 9-17-63) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REPORTING OFFICE OFFICE OF ORIGIN DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD MIAMI MEMPHIS 5/17/68 5/13 - 16/68 TITLE OF CASE REPORT MADE BY TYPED BY JAMES EARL RAY - FUGITIVE; DAVID N. JELLISON VC DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, CHARACTER OF CASE JR. (DECEASED) - VICTIM CIVIL RIGHTS REFERENCES New Orleans airtel to Memphis dated 5/7/68, Miami teletype to New Orleans dated 5 /13/68. New Orleans teletypeto to Miami dated 5/$15/68 .. - P - LEADS MIAMI At Miami, Florida: Request of the Bureau or the Memphis Office. Will conduct any additional information upon 33 - A -- - COVER PAGE - ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED: NONE Cape may be pending over one year! Yes No: No: Pending prosecution over six months Yes No SPRING AGENT RES MADE: SPRINGS INSPIRATION DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW 2 - Bureau (44-38861) (RM) 2 - Memphis ((44-1987) 2 - Miami (44 -1854) REC-9 25 MAY 30 1968 ice-CPLent, Pm. 2660 Notations Agency Dissmination Record of Attached Report Request Read. State Fwd. w Fwd .. 79 JUN7-1968 STATE, SECI. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s potential involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with a focus on his movements, connections to extremist groups, and alleged escape from Missouri Penitentiary. Reports from May 1968 include checks on W.H. Rungrer’s background, including Florida license tags and hotel registrations in New Orleans and Memphis. A registration card from Woodland Motor Court in Thomasville, Georgia, linked to Richard B. Ginnis, is examined for ties to Ray. The FBI requests fingerprint analysis of the registration card to compare with Ray’s prints. Separate reports mention an alleged $100,000 reward offered by the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (WKKK) for King’s assassination, with references to Memphis and Jackson, Mississippi. A private investigator in Sullivan, Missouri, William Nethington, is noted as having connections to Milfords Roehrs, an alleged KKK member who claimed the murder was planned outside the U.S., possibly involving Argentina. The documents also reference Ray’s alleged escape from Missouri Penitentiary and his potential ties to the KKK. Additional FBI reports from May 15–17, 1968, describe an anonymous tip about an individual resembling Ray observed in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Landold Restaurant on May 14, 1968. The individual was described as having a sharp nose, cleft chin, Midwestern accent, and dyed blonde hair, with staff noting his behavior, including ordering expensive food and discussing sex matters. The FBI requested verification of whether this individual matched Ray. Other reports mention John M. Downey’s claim that Fred Gable may be Ray, with plans to interview Downey on May 17, 1968. Mrs. Alimena Lomax in Los Angeles is noted for potential ties to the assassination, while a Dallas report investigates Rale D. Stark’s employment history and physical description compared to Ray. Administrative details include document transmission under Executive Order 14176. A separate communication from May 17–18, 1968, references Mrs. David L. Wilson’s report on her husband’s plans to return to Phoenix, Arizona, after a conversation with an FBI agent in Flagstaff, raising concerns about his mental condition based on military records. Ben Raye in Port Aransas, Texas, is under investigation for fingerprint discrepancies and employment history. An anonymous letter to Memphis police details an Irish individual in Missouri allegedly involved in alcohol-related issues and a potential connection to Montreal. The FBI also tracks money orders linked to Newark, New Jersey, with specific serial numbers and purchase locations.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect)  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (victim)  
- W.H. Rungrer (subject of background checks)  
- Richard B. Ginnis (Woodland Motor Court registrant)  
- William Nethington (private investigator in Sullivan, MO)  
- Milfords Roehrs (alleged KKK member in Sullivan, MO)  
- John M. Downey (claimed Fred Gable may be Ray)  
- Mrs. Alimena Lomax (Los Angeles; potential ties to assassination)  
- Rale D. Stark (Dallas; employment history checked)  
- Mrs. David L. Wilson (reported husband’s travel plans)  
- Ben Raye (investigated in Port Aransas, TX)  

Key Locations  
- Miami, Florida (FBI field office)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (investigation focus)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (hotel registrations checked)  
- Thomasville, Georgia (Woodland Motor Court)  
- Sullivan, Missouri (Nethington and Roehrs’ locations)  
- Geneva, Switzerland (Landold Restaurant sighting)  
- Phoenix, Arizona (Mrs. Wilson’s husband’s travel plans)  
- Flagstaff, Arizona (FBI agent contact)  
- Port Aransas, Texas (Ben Raye investigation)  
- Jackson, Mississippi (WKKK reward allegations)  
- Newark, New Jersey (money orders linked to)  
- Montreal, Canada (alleged connection from anonymous letter)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into James Earl Ray’s movements and connections to King’s assassination.  
- Examination of W.H. Rungrer’s background, including Florida license tags and hotel stays.  
- Analysis of a registration card from Woodland Motor Court for potential ties to Ray.  
- Alleged $100,000 reward offered by the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (WKKK) for King’s assassination.  
- Claims by Milfords Roehrs that the murder was planned outside the U.S., possibly involving Argentina.  
- Investigation into Ray’s alleged escape from Missouri Penitentiary and KKK involvement.  
- FBI verification request on an individual resembling Ray observed in Geneva, Switzerland, at Landold Restaurant.  
- Interview plans with John M. Downey regarding Fred Gable’s potential identity as Ray.  
- Review of Mrs. Alimena Lomax’s connections to King’s assassination.  
- Employment history check on Rale D. Stark compared to Ray’s physical description.  
- Mrs. David L. Wilson’s report on her husband’s travel plans and mental health concerns.  
- FBI investigation into Ben Raye’s identification and fingerprints in Port Aransas, Texas.  
- Anonymous letter to Memphis police detailing an Irish individual in Missouri linked to Montreal.  
- Tracking of money orders linked to Newark, New Jersey, with specific serial numbers.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (WKKK)  
- Fidelity Union Trust Co. (money order issuer)  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Los Angeles Police Department  
- Veterans of Foreign Wars  
- Georgia Police Officer’s Association

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_13-02-part_5_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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