</s>JAN 1, 2018 ALFICVED. HERAL INVESTIGAT. DIVISION 3710 JUN 15 2 07 PM '68 RED'L CIV ALHIS FEI F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JUN 17 7 07 all '66 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text contains fragmented FBI/agency records from 1968 involving investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., financial activities linked to James Earl Ray (a suspect in the murder), and prison-related inquiries. It includes interviews with Joseph Seibert, a former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who claimed ties to Ray, as well as coded cablegrams about tracking funds, bank accounts, and safety deposit boxes. The documents also reference escape plans, prison records, and potential connections to crimes like robbery and burglary.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., investigated for financial ties and escape plans from prisons.  
- **Joseph Seibert**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary (and Oklahoma State Penitentiary) who claimed to have known Ray, described his escape attempts, and provided details about Ray’s movements post-release.  
- **Clarence Seibert**: Brother of Joseph Seibert; mentioned in family records but no direct involvement in the investigation.  
- **New Scotland Yard (UK)**: Involved in financial checks for Ray’s activities in England.  
- **FBI/US Agencies**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s finances, prison records, and potential accomplices.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri** (Jackson County Court House, Kansas City; Missouri State Penitentiary).  
- **Oklahoma** (McAlester, Tulsa, Vinita; Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Eastern State Hospital).  
- **England** (London banks, safety deposit boxes in Birmingham, Alabama).  
- **Alabama** (safety deposit box linked to Ray’s financial activities).  

Key Events  
1. **Investigation into MLK’s Assassination (1968):** Focus on James Earl Ray’s financial activities, including bank accounts in London, safety deposit boxes in Alabama, and fund transfers from the US/Canada. Coded cablegrams directed to UK authorities to check for Ray’s financial links.  
2. **Prison Records & Escape Plans:** Joseph Seibert described Ray’s escape attempts from Missouri State Penitentiary (1964–1967), including plans involving the prison TV, roof access, and hiding in ventilation shafts. Ray allegedly escaped via a bread box from the bakery where he worked.  
3. **Arrests & Criminal History:** Seibert had prior convictions for robbery with firearms (Oklahoma, 1964–1967) and was incarcerated at Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Ray’s alleged criminal history included burglary and weapons-related offenses.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s finances, prison records, and potential accomplices.  
- **New Scotland Yard (UK)**: Involved in financial checks for Ray’s activities in England.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_17-03-part_6_of_7.pdf

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