</s>HO 44-1509 Dallas 59 San Antonio 46 Phoenix 1 Houston 391 Total All of the above field divisions were furnished the telephone number called in their division, date called (355) and number and place from which call emanated. The following investigation was conducted by SAS WILLIAM J. FLANAGAN and KENNEDY B. JACKSON B. April 25, 1968 at Houston, Texas. JERRY P. MC THERSON, Holiday Inn, 799 Katy, reviewed records for the first period December 1, 1970, 1967; D.J. GRAVIVED records for for the entire period Motor Lodge, 7953 Katy. Reviewed records from the second period 1961, LOWELL MASON, Assistant Manager, Cactus Court, 761 Katy, records or of JAMES EARL Ray by name and alias of CHARLES STIN unit during respective periods indicated. The following investigations was conductedby SAS FRANK M. IVEY and WILLIAM G. MORRESSY on April 25. 1968 at Houston, Texas Registration records of the following motels along Katy Freeway west (I.S. (10) were reviewed through the following STIN and/or JAMES EARL RAY by name or aliases. No CHARLES STEN or JAMES BARL Ray (16-19, 1967). No record was located: Field Inn TED DENTRE, Manager Katy Katy Freway Yupon Motel 8615 Katy WILSTE, Manager Western Skies Motel DAVID PERRY, Manager 789 Katy Freeway - 44 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and associations between 1965 and 1968, focusing on his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary, escape attempts, and post-release activities. It includes records of motel registrations, interviews with individuals linked to Ray, credit and telephone directory checks, and reviews of ship departures and airline manifests. The investigation aims to track Ray’s whereabouts following his release from prison in 1967, emphasizing alleged connections to Neal Edgar ABEY and others. A separate FBI report outlines efforts to identify individuals associated with a flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to Houston, Texas, on April 5, 1968, involving two white males. Key details include Delta Airlines Flight 127 (Memphis to Houston), which departed at 1:30 AM on April 5, 1968, with passengers identified as DAVIS and B. CHILDAW. The FBI sought to verify their identities through hotel records, flight manifests, and witness accounts. A stewardess from the flight reported that passengers were not observed closely due to dimmed cabin lights. The report also notes discrepancies in records, such as missing addresses for passengers and conflicting dates (e.g., April 5, 1968, vs. April 5, 1963). Several suspects were eliminated based on fingerprint comparisons or lack of corroborating evidence.  

Key People  
- **JAMES EARL RAY**: Central figure in the investigation; incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary from 1956 to 1966, with escape attempts in 1962 and 1966.  
- **NEAL EDGAR ABEY**: Linked to Ray through prison interactions; interviewed about Ray’s escape attempts and behavior.  
- **JUDY CAROL JEFFERS** (also known as Judy Carol Jebby): Spouse of ABEY, provided information on Ray’s associates.  
- **GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL**: Salesman who reported Ray’s incarceration in Missouri State Penitentiary from 1956 to 1966.  
- **DAVIS & B. CHILDAW**: Identified as passengers on Delta Flight 127; their names were added to the manifest without addresses.  
- **JOHN WILLIARD**: Linked to Texas Dance Studios in League City, Texas, with records from April 1967.  
- **VINCENT WALKER**: Investigated as a possible suspect connected to Memphis Airport activities.  
- **JAMES EARL MAY** (also known as DON AUGUST): Mentioned in connection with Conroe, Texas, and alleged ties to suspicious behavior.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and escape attempts.  
- **Memphis Municipal Airport**: Site of the flight departure and passenger pickup.  
- **Houston Municipal Airport**: Where DAVIS and CHILDAW were dropped off; DELAO transported passengers to hotels like Rice Hotel, Dormontor Hotel, and Sheraton Lincoln Hotel.  
- **Rice Hotel (Downtown Houston)**: Checked for records of suspects on April 5, 1968.  
- **Delta Airlines**: Central to tracking flight details and passenger manifests.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **April 5, 1968**: Delta Flight 127 departed Memphis for Houston; passengers DAVIS and CHILDAW were identified.  
- **April 8, 1968**: DELAO (Delta Airlines employee) reported dropping off two men at the Rice Hotel in Houston.  
- **April 10, 1968**: FBI eliminated suspects like JAMES HERMAN SILVER and DONATE LEON HARDEN through fingerprint comparisons or lack of evidence.  
- **Ray’s escape attempts from Missouri State Penitentiary** (1962 and 1966): Failed due to equipment failure and injury.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into Ray’s activities, including interviews, record reviews, and coordination with local law enforcement.  
- **Delta Airlines**: Central to tracking flight details and passenger movements.  
- **Texas State Department of Corrections**: Provided information on Ray’s incarceration and release.  
- **U.S. Customs**: Reviewed ship departure records for potential movements of suspects.  
- **Local police departments** (Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, etc.): Conducted record checks and provided information on individuals linked to Ray.  
- **Credit bureaus** (e.g., Retail Merchants Association, Voter Registration Offices): Checked for financial or identification records related to suspects.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_15-01-part_2_of_6.pdf

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