</s>PG 44-578 WILc:mlt1 (3) SA LAFFEY contacted Mr. DONALD WOODROW YOUNG, owner of the aforementioned Cadillac, who exhibited Florida registration certificate of Certificate of Title to the of the aforementioned Cadillac, who exhibits Florida refermented 1962 Cadillac convertible, VIN 62700555, of the following following: of the owner and operator of Don Young's Used Cars, himself as the owner of the Cadillac, Florida, and said that 6135 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FLa ., and had taken a side trip, not to visit a lady friend. Mr. YOUNG volunteered was not supposed to be in the Pittsburgh adventured that he was supposed to have a man, and he hoped his wife, who was recently in Florida. wife, where would not cause him any man, to be the hoped his wife who is presently in Florida, SA LAFFERY determined from personal observations and identifying data that YOUNG was born Baltimore, Md ., had Florida Operator's License GS586870, and was described as follows: Race White Race Male Age Height 5/11 1/2" Height Weight 52 Height Weight 180 lbs. Hair Brown (bald with only Brown benefits) Occupation Salesmen Residence 1703 Marcia Drive Orlando, Fla. YOUNG was dressed very neatly, and had a very fine neat well groomed mustache. It was further observed that YOUNG were well tanned, and lost it was further than his age. YOUNG did not appear to be anything similar to the sketch was not taken, 1968, issue of the Pittsburgh Press, which sketch was on the front page. - A3- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail federal investigative efforts following the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on identifying suspects linked to the crime. Investigations centered on James Earl Ray, with reports of sightings in Pittsburgh, PA, including at Emil’s Restaurant and Jerry’s Bar. Federal agents tracked Charles Moats across West Virginia and Ohio, noting conflicting identifications. Don Young, a Florida resident with a 1962 Cadillac, was investigated for potential connections to the suspect. Informants like Henry Brewer claimed to have seen Ray, though reliability was questioned. The FBI also examined credit card transactions linked to Louisiana license plates and explored real estate inquiries involving Eric Starvo Gault. Separate investigations into laundries using thermo-seal marking machines and red cloth tags were conducted, with agents contacting establishments in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. These efforts appear tied to broader tracking of materials or individuals associated with an unspecified threat, though no direct link to MLK’s assassination was established.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin; sightings reported in Pittsburgh, PA)  
- Charles Moats (subject of multiple investigations; identified as 22 years old but not matching descriptions)  
- Don Young (Florida resident with a 1962 Cadillac; Florida license holder)  
- Henry Brewer (claimed to have seen a man resembling Ray at Emil’s Restaurant)  
- Pelfrey (informant with inconsistent reports; described as a habitual drunkard)  
- Eric Starvo Gault (subject of media attention; linked to real estate inquiries)  
- SA Eugene C. Jones, SA Linney, SA Robert F. Snyder (investigators)  
- Glenn L. Ayers, A.K. Roberts, James R. Nesbitt, "Budd" Ward, William Hendrick (laundry managers)  

Key Locations:  
- Orlando, FL (Don Young’s Used Cars)  
- Holiday Inn, Princeton, WV  
- Clarksburg, WV (Lake Central Airlines, rental agencies)  
- Weston, WV (Dixie Hotel, bus terminals)  
- Pittsburgh, PA (Emil’s Restaurant, Jerry’s Bar, Roma Hotel)  
- Huntington, WV (Easy Bill’s Tavern, police department)  
- Charleston, WV; Morgantown, WV; Beckley, WV; Erie, PA; Pittsburgh-Allegheny County, PA  

Key Events:  
- Investigation of Don Young’s Cadillac ownership and movements.  
- Holiday Inn checks for individuals matching a suspect’s description.  
- Tracking Charles Moats across West Virginia and Ohio.  
- FBI efforts to locate James Earl Ray, including sightings in Pittsburgh.  
- Informant Pelfrey’s conflicting claims about a suspect resembling Ray.  
- Real estate inquiries linked to Eric Starvo Gault through real estate agents.  
- Telephone inquiries to laundries about thermo-seal marking machines and red cloth tags.  
- Interviews with laundry managers confirming or denying use of specific equipment.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- West Virginia State Police  
- Local police departments (e.g., Huntington, WV; Clarksburg, WV)  
- Lake Central Airlines  
- Rental car agencies (e.g., Avis, Hertz)  
- Veterans Administration Hospital (Huntington, WV)  
- Textile Marking Machine Company  
- Laundries and dry cleaners (e.g., Fairmont American Laundry, Inc., Better Way Cleaners, Unique Cleaners)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_16-02-part_4_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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