</s>FD-204 (new. 3-3-59) . IH.IED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ... JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Copy to: Report of: DAVID K. JELLISON Officer: Kiawel, Florida. Date: KAY 23, 1968 Officer M. Kiawl, Florida's Field Office File fn 44-1664 Bureau File f: 44-38661 Tiles: JAMES EARL RAY: DR. BARN LUKER KING, JR. (Dosedosed) - VCCIM Characen: CIVIL RIGENS Sympathy: PAUL ALVIN LAIL ICAIL Icaited Palm Springs, Plr ., Advisod le served time in Missouri State Penitentiary with MAY, lowever, has had no contact with him since release and can offer no significant background information or heavenly, has no contract with his since release. Anckel: regarding the use of the Federal Bureau of Investigation vehicle in 1854. investigation Gasee studies, Ikandries using thorne-real laundry strling eckins, Hylio Keng- using thore-real Laundry strling eskincs, Hysio Keg- no Information regarding EAY. All records, Bistor Air Lines, reflecting p/4/4s, dorating Littlans, Hiyko Keng. firrth to eliminate all persons revising their names to firrh to eliminate eall persons, revising them to subject to/or slizes. All persons listed Hisli Divisien. having small names to subject and/or all persons listed Listed to with all logical agencies, including Hislisn Hislisla Listed, agencies, and Kestrels, and Nisli Listed. Agencies, all immigration and Kastrels. Service, etc. biste and local agencies. All All Liskers Kestered, bistes and local agents. All Likers Kedered. elimesteed. DANGEROL. SURREW CAVS BAL RAY COUMERR ALKET ATP This document contains e-mail recommendations not excasibions of the FII, It is the property of the FBI and is licensed to your agency, and it is contents are not to be distributed out of your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations conducted in 1968 focusing on James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and related inquiries into individuals with potential connections to the case. Key efforts included interviews with Paul Alvin Lail, a former inmate of Missouri State Penitentiary who knew Ray, and checks into Ray’s possible purchase of a 1949 Lincoln from Luke Sellars’ dealership in Miami, Florida. Administrative notes reference document classification under Executive Order 14176 and investigative procedures. Separate inquiries examined individuals with names linked to dance instruction and potential ties to the MLK assassination, involving record checks with Miami-area agencies, airline passenger manifests, and travel records. These efforts included tracking suspect movements through hotel registrations, employment histories, and contact information.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; investigated for past associations and vehicle ownership.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary with Ray; interviewed by FBI in Palm Springs, Florida.  
- **Luke Sellars**: Owner of a motor dealership in Miami, Florida, involved in inquiries about Ray’s 1949 Lincoln purchase.  
- **Eric Stavo Galt**: Name linked to dance instruction and potential connections to the MLK assassination.  
- **Harvey Lowver**, **John Williamad**, **William Laphire**, **Louis Anglin**, **Jacqueline Courville Cuto**, **Vincent Cuto**, **Juanita Welcha**, **Charles Hazellez**, **Robert B. Galt**, **Ruth A. Galt**, **John A. Gaulti**, **V. C. Willard**, **W. J. Walton**, **J. F. Walton**, **John Willard**, **Raymond Raye**, **Heeran**: Individuals investigated for potential ties to the MLK assassination or related activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and inmate interactions with Lail.  
- **Palm Springs, Florida**: Location of FBI interviews with Paul Alvin Lail.  
- **Miami, Florida**: Center for vehicle purchase investigations and business records checks; also referenced in unrelated travel record inquiries.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**, **New Orleans, Louisiana**, **Atlanta, Georgia**, **Birmingham, Alabama**, **Montgomery, Alabama**, **Savannah, Georgia**, **Tampa, Florida**, **Detroit, Michigan**, **St. Louis, Missouri**: Locations associated with investigations into individuals linked to the MLK assassination or travel records.  

Key Events  
- **April 25–27, 1968**: FBI conducted interviews with Paul Alvin Lail in Palm Springs, Florida, and investigated Ray’s potential purchase of a 1949 Lincoln from Luke Sellars’ dealership in Miami. Follow-up interviews clarified earlier statements about Ray’s whereabouts.  
- **April 25–27, 1968**: Administrative notes on document classification (E.O. 14176) and investigative procedures.  
- **1968**: FBI reviewed passenger manifests from airlines such as Eastern Airlines, Continental Studios, and others to track suspect movements; checked records with Miami-area police departments, credit bureaus, and voter registration databases.  
- **April 1966–April 1968**: Airline reservations and ticket details were examined for international and domestic flights, including destinations such as Atlanta, Chicago, Mexico City, and Acapulco.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, vehicle records checks, and administrative documentation.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and inmate interactions.  
- **U.S. Bureau of Customs**, **Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)**, **Miami Police Department**, **Dade County Department of Public Safety**, **Credit Bureau of Greater Miami**, **Southern District of Florida**: Agencies involved in record checks and travel-related investigations.  
- **Eastern Airlines**, **Delta Airlines**, **TWA**, **United Airlines**, **Southern Airways**, **North Central Airlines**, **Northeast Orient Airlines**, **Northwest Orient Airlines**: Airlines referenced in passenger manifest reviews and flight tracking efforts.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_14-02-part_1_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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