</s>CODING UNIT JAN11 G.O.N.T.R.B.S. JUN11 | 0.07 F/HBO TELETYPE UNIT HES VIVED 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and RCMP investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and activities related to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. A map of Montreal with St. John Street circled was found in Ray’s belongings, linked to his alleged visit to Montreal in 1967. An individual claiming to be "Fat Man" provided a letter addressed to Paul Bridgman at Dundas Street, containing a job application form, which the RCMP requested further verification on. Ray’s activities in Lisbon (May 8–17, 1968) were investigated, including his stay at the Hotel Portugal and interactions with bar patrons. He was arrested in London under strict security measures and faced extradition proceedings for alleged gun possession and unauthorized travel. The FBI sought military air transport for official travel due to lack of commercial alternatives and provided transportation cost details. Legal representation by Eugene Michael Dresden & Co. and involvement with British authorities’ extradition case were documented.  

Telegraphic communications from June 1968 detail FBI investigations into potential threats against MLK and other civil rights figures, including reports from Mrs. Dorothea Barton in New York City alleging a cult in North Hollywood planned to assassinate MLK and bomb the United Nations. The FBI was instructed to locate and interview members of the group, including Boyd Robert Barton, Ruby Ex Street, and others, and assess connections to other violent acts like Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination. Financial checks were conducted on Jerry Ray’s bank accounts and safe deposit boxes, with James Earl Ray noted as armed and dangerous. Coordination between FBI field offices and headquarters was emphasized.  

A separate teletype series from June 13–14, 1968, and June 24, 1968, details an anonymous tip about Gene Bass, a white male allegedly involved in a meatpacking company plot. The FBI concluded the information lacked factual basis and terminated the investigation. References include Paul Bridgeman in Memphis, an affidavit by Charles Quitman Stephens regarding Bridgeman’s alleged connections, and analysis of laundry marks on a shirt with dry-cleaning numbers and manufacturer details.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- Paul Bridgman (recipient of letter found in "Fat Man"’s possession; referenced in affidavit by Charles Quitman Stephens)  
- Arthur Jannes (attorney representing Ray)  
- Ransome Clark (Attorney General involved in passport arrangements for Ray)  
- Eugene Michael Dresden & Co. (law firm representing Ray)  
- Frederick J. Schwartz (allegedly affiliated with U.S. legal services in London)  
- Mrs. Dorothea Barton (New York City): Reported cult activities and alleged assassination plots against MLK and the United Nations  
- Boyd Robert Barton (North Hollywood, California): Identified as a member of the cult; described as a white male with specific physical attributes  
- Ruby Ex Street (Grand Hills, California): Listed as an associate of the cult  
- Gene Bass (white male arrested multiple times in Dallas for minor offenses)  
- Charles Quitman Stephens (affidavit signer, former tenant at 42 and 2½ South Matt Most)  

Key Locations  
- Montreal, Canada (map with St. John Street referenced)  
- Lisbon, Portugal (Ray’s stay at Hotel Portugal)  
- London, England (Ray’s arrest and extradition proceedings)  
- Toronto, Canada (investigation into Ray’s movements)  
- Dundas Street, London (address of letter recipient)  
- North Hollywood, California (site of alleged cult activities and cache of arms)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (center for MLK assassination investigation; Paul Bridgeman’s involvement)  
- New York City (location of Mrs. Barton’s residence and FBI office)  
- Los Angeles, California (hub for interviews and investigations)  
- United Nations (target of alleged bombing plot by the cult)  
- Dallas, Texas (site of Bass’s arrests and investigations)  
- Seattle, Washington (mentioned in context of an anonymous caller’s claim about a prison escape)  
- Washington State Prison (alleged escape from in 1967 or 1968; no confirmed records)  

Key Events  
- Discovery of Montreal map linked to Ray’s 1967 visit  
- "Fat Man"’s claim of receiving a job application letter addressed to Bridgman  
- Ray’s arrest in London and placement under strict security  
- Extradition proceedings for gun possession and unauthorized travel  
- FBI request for military air transport for official travel  
- Legal representation of Ray by Dresden & Co. and involvement with British authorities  
- Alleged assassination plot against MLK by a cult in North Hollywood, California  
- Investigation into potential connections between the cult and other violent acts (e.g., Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination)  
- Financial checks on Jerry Ray’s bank accounts and safe deposit boxes  
- FBI coordination across offices to locate and interview suspects linked to the cult  
- Reporting of a cache of arms stored by the cult in North Hollywood, California  
- FBI investigation into Gene Bass’s alleged ties to a meatpacking company and theft case (Case No. 87-3168)  
- Arrests of Bass for shoplifting, passing worthless checks, and possession of stolen money  
- Affidavit by Charles Quitman Stephens regarding Paul Bridgeman’s connections to a subject  
- Analysis of a shirt’s laundry marks, including dry-cleaning numbers and manufacturer details  

Key Organizations  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations into Ray, the cult, and Gene Bass; coordinated field offices and headquarters  
- British Home Office: Involved in extradition case for Ray  
- United States Department of Justice: Involved in administrative and investigative coordination  
- Cult group (unidentified name): Alleged perpetrators of assassination plots and bombings  
- U.S. Department of Justice: Involved in teletype communications and document releases under Executive Order 14176

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_17-03-part_2_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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