</s>F1-302 (iev. 4:1-4:14) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date: May 15, 1968 May 15,1968 JAMES W. BROWN, 305 Past Street, Talladega, Alabama, was interviewed at the Rehabilitation Center, Talladaga, and furnished the following: BROWN entered the Missouri State Penitentiary, jefferson City, Missouri, on March 25, 1960, after having been convicted in Kansas City, Missouri, for murder and he was receiving a twenty-year sentence. He stayed inside the transferred to a branch of the Penitentian System at Fordland, Missouri. During his imprisonment, BROWN became acquainted with one JOHNNY VLANZY (phonetic), "VELANTI had told BROWN that JOHNSY VANZY ("phonetric), "VLANZI hadtold BROWN and VLANZI was serving (phoenetic), 'VELANTY had told BORN convicted in KANSAS CITY, Missouri), for robbery. V LANZY had also claimed to BROWN when he was arrested by convicted to Kansas City. Missouri, for robbery, V LANTI his possession of the name of a notorious Kansas City gangster, which he had given to VLANZA by a New Orleans friend. which he has given to him by a new Orleans friend, but claimed he was questioned through by the Kansas City Police Department about this name VLANZZI had in his possession. during this time and sometime he became good friends. BROWN claimed he and VLANIZY became good FRIENDS December 16, 1962 and either November or December 16. 1962 and BROWN. BROWE'S EARL RAY, another instance at the pentitentiary. BRONZY came meeting took place in the prison yard at a time shortly after the meeting. Ray was involved in a poker game and VANZIY meeting RAY was involved at a poker games and VLANTI told BROWY that he, VLANzY was a personal friend of told BROWN that he/VLANZI, "VANZI was a personal friend of introduced RAY as BROWN as "JAMES RAY" and told BROWN" that everyone called him "RAY" "Later, at an unrecalled time, VALANTI told BROWN that he. "VELANZI, had known "RAY". 5/9/68 Talladega. Alabama 5/8/68 File # BH 44-1740 SA ROBERT M. BARRET and SA WILLIAM A. SAUCIER & R.MISSISS <loc_148><loc_885>5/14/68 by <loc_97><loc_892>Date dictated This document contains neither conclusions nor conclusions of the PBI, the property of the FBI is the Pbi and is loaned to

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into individuals potentially linked to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination or related criminal activities. A key focus is James Earl Ray, whose alleged involvement in planning MLK's murder was discussed by James W. Brown, a former Missouri State Penitentiary inmate. Brown claimed Ray intended to kill MLK for $10,000 and referenced Ray’s criminal history, including an Atlanta robbery with Johnny Vlanzy (possibly a misspelling of "Van Zee"). FBI efforts to verify Ray’s identity included photographic comparisons and interviews in Birmingham, Alabama, involving Peter Cherpes and Herbert Kelly. Separate investigations explored unrelated matters such as salacious books, bank robberies, and mental health records of individuals like William Thomas Jacobs and John C. Medizer, who denied threats against MLK or the President.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., discussed by James W. Brown during their incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **James W. Brown**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; provided information about Ray’s criminal activities and alleged plans to kill MLK.  
- **Johnny Vlanzy** (possibly a misspelling): Inmate associated with Ray, mentioned in context of an Atlanta robbery.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Possibly an alias or pseudonym linked to Ray; referenced in FBI identification efforts.  
- **Peter Cherpes and Herbert Kelly**: Birmingham residents interviewed by the FBI for photographic identifications related to Ray.  
- **William Thomas Jacobs**: Admitted to Texas State Mental Hospital (1956–1960), diagnosed with sociopathic personality disorder and alcoholism; no direct threats against MLK or the President were found in his records.  
- **John C. Medizer**: Dallas resident who claimed membership in the Nazi Party (ANP) but denied involvement in threats against MLK or the President.  

Key Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City, Missouri): Site of Brown’s incarceration and interactions with Ray and Vlanzy.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Central to FBI identification efforts involving Cherpes, Kelly, and Economy Rooming House.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Linked to Ray’s alleged travel route after the assassination.  
- **Lima, Ohio**: Birthplace of Thomas Eugene Cramer; location of his arrest records.  
- **Findlay, Ohio**: Residence of Mary Kennedy (Cramer’s mother) and Frances Cramer (his sister).  
- **Houston, Texas**: Location of Jacobs’ mental health records.  
- **Dallas, Texas**: Residence of John C. Medizer; site of ANP activities.  

Key Events:  
- **James Earl Ray’s alleged plan to kill MLK**: Discussed by James W. Brown during their time in prison, with Ray stating he would pay $10,000 for the assassination.  
- **FBI investigation into RAY’s identity**: Conducted between April 25–29 and May 3–7, 1968, involving rooming house checks, hotel inspections, and photographic comparisons in Birmingham.  
- **Unrelated investigations**: Included reviews of salacious books, bank robberies, and mental health records of individuals not directly tied to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Thomas Eugene Cramer’s relocation**: Reported to have moved to Seattle, Washington, and worked at sporting goods stores; no direct link to MLK or the assassination was found.  
- **John C. Medizer’s ANP affiliation**: Denied involvement in threats against MLK or the President despite claiming membership in the Nazi Party (ANP).  

Key Organizations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Institution noted for internal inmate organizations, including a lottery system and protection rackets.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led investigations into Ray’s identity, RAY’s movements, and unrelated criminal activities.  
- **Texas State Mental Hospital**: Institutionalized William Thomas Jacobs from 1956–1960; records noted his sociopathic personality disorder and alcoholism.  
- **Nazi Party (ANP)**: Organization with which John C. Medizer claimed affiliation but denied violent policies or threats against MLK.  
- **Birmingham Police Department**: Cooperated with the FBI on robbery squad and vehicle theft checks during the RAY investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_13-05-part_3_of_5.pdf

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