</s>AT 157-2034 Number of People Arranged 0 0 0 5 0 Source of Above Information: 2 Chief of Police Ed Friend Albany, Georgia Estimate of Danner, Assistant Chief of Police LESLITS SOMMUNTIED, Albary, Georgia, advised on 7/19/69, no tabulation of property damage had been prepared by the City of Albony and consequently no estimate was available. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details an FBI investigation into a purported CB radio transmission linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on Memphis, Tennessee, in April 1968. The inquiry involves interviews with individuals such as Edward L. Montedonico, who claimed he did not make the transmission but acknowledged hearing it through his CB unit. The police and FBI explored whether the transmission referenced a white Mustang allegedly involved in the shooting of King. The investigation noted challenges in identifying the source due to CB radio’s ability to disguise voices and lack of FCC enforcement in Memphis. No conclusive evidence was found, and the case remained open as of May 1968.  

Key People  
- **Edward L. Montedonico, Jr.**: A 18-year-old high school graduate from Memphis who claimed he did not make the CB transmission but heard it through his radio.  
- **Robert K. Ferguson**: Mentioned in early documents as a suspect with ties to CB radio operations and potential knowledge of police transmissions.  
- **Agents Harley E. Gyle and Robert F. Doyle**: FBI agents involved in interviewing Montedonico and other suspects.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the investigation, including Highland Park Place (Montedonico’s residence) and areas where CB radio activity was monitored.  
- **FBI Memphis Office**: Conducted interviews and investigations into the CB transmission.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: A CB radio transmission allegedly describing a white Mustang involved in King’s assassination was reported.  
- **Interviews with suspects**: Montedonico and others were questioned about their knowledge of the transmission and CB radio operations.  
- **FBI and Memphis PD investigations**: Explored the credibility of the transmission, legal aspects of CB radio use, and potential sources of the broadcast.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led the investigation into the CB transmission and its connection to King’s assassination.  
- **Memphis Police Department (PD)**: Collaborated with the FBI in investigating the case.  
- **Federal Communications Commission (FCC)**: Noted as having no direct jurisdiction over Memphis CB radio transmissions, though some referenced FCC regulations on illegal broadcasts.  

Summary  
The document details an investigation into a purported CB radio transmission on April 4, 1968, involving a white Mustang allegedly associated with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office examined claims of a high-speed chase and gunfire reported by an unknown CB operator. Inspector N. E. Zachary reviewed police radio dispatches and CB transmissions, concluding the incident was a hoax. Key findings included inconsistencies in vehicle descriptions (e.g., conflicting reports of a white Mustang and a blue Pontiac), signal strength anomalies suggesting the caller was stationary, and no corroborating evidence from law enforcement or witnesses. The investigation also explored potential suspects, including individuals like Edward Montedonico and Ferguson, though no definitive identification was made.  

Key People  
- **Franklin L. Johnson**: Investigator with the Memphis Police Department.  
- **Inspector N. E. Zachary**: Homicide Bureau, Memphis Police Department; led the review of radio dispatches and CB transmissions.  
- **Lieutenant Sam T. McCachren**: Involved in tracking CB operator activity.  
- **Mr. Austin**: Licensed CB operator who relayed information to police during the incident.  
- **Edward Montedonico (JR.)**: Son of Edward Montedonico Sr., whose involvement was speculated but not confirmed.  
- **Ferguson**: Union member and CB operator linked to potential motives or connections to the incident.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central location for police investigations and CB radio activity.  
- **Raleigh, Tennessee** (suburb of Memphis): Intersection of Jackson Avenue and Stage Road mentioned in the alleged chase.  
- **Zayre’s Department Store (Poplar Avenue)**: Location where Mr. Austin reported hearing the assassination broadcast.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Alleged CB radio report of a white Mustang chasing Dr. King’s assassin, with gunfire and high-speed pursuit.  
- **Radio Dispatch Review**: Police examined tapes of transmissions, noting inconsistencies in vehicle descriptions and signal strength.  
- **Signal Analysis**: Mr. Austin observed that the caller’s signal strength fluctuated inconsistently, suggesting the caller was stationary or fabricating the report.  
- **Union Meeting**: Ferguson and Austin were present at a union meeting where discussions about the incident occurred.  

Key Organizations  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Conducted primary investigation into the CB radio hoax.  
- **Shelby County Sheriff’s Office**: Assisted in verifying claims of vehicle sightings during the alleged chase.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in follow-up inquiries, including interviews with Edward Montedonico Sr. and others.  

Summary  
This document contains records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding Pernell Ezzell, an individual under investigation in August 1968. The text includes communications between FBI offices in Tampa, Florida, and other locations such as Los Angeles, Memphis, and Jacksonville, Florida. It references a series of telegrams and reports related to Ezzell’s activities, including his revoked driver’s license due to driving while intoxicated (DUI) incidents in North Carolina and Florida. The document details interactions with Pernell Ezzell’s wife, Fay Ezzell, who provided information about his movements, employment status, and alleged travel plans. It also includes records from the Orange County Drivers License Office and the Orlando Auto Tag Office, noting Ezz.Lee’s vehicle registrations and license revocations. The FBI sought to locate Ezzell for further investigation, with efforts involving contact with his wife, a business associate (Emory A. Dowling), and local law enforcement agencies.  

Key People  
- **Pernell Ezzell**: Subject of the investigation; had revoked driver’s licenses in Florida and North Carolina due to DUI incidents.  
- **Fay Ezzell**: Wife of Pernell Ezzell, provided information about his whereabouts, employment, and alleged travel plans.  
- **Emory A. Dowling, Jr.: Business associate of Pernell Ezzell; contacted by the FBI for information regarding Ezzell’s activities.  
- **Mrs. Mary Smith**: Orange County Drivers License Office employee who provided details on Ezzell’s license history.  
- **Mrs. Lila Horquist**: Orange County Auto Tag Office employee who documented Ezzell’s vehicle registrations.  

Key Locations  
- **Tampa, Florida**: FBI SAC (Special Agent in Charge) office involved in the investigation.  
- **Orlando, Florida**: Home address of Pernell and Fay Ezzell; location of the Drivers License Office and Auto Tag Office.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Mentioned as a destination for Ezzell’s alleged travel plans.  
- **North Carolina**: Site of Ezzell’s DUI incident involving a bridge collision.  

Key Events  
- Revocation of Pernell Ezzell’s Florida driver’s license in 1968 due to prior DUI offenses, including an accident in North Carolina in 1965.  
- FBI efforts to locate Ezzell by contacting his wife and business associate, with reports of his alleged travel to California for employment.  
- Documentation of Ezzell’s vehicle registrations (Chevrolet and Buick) and license history by local Florida authorities.  
- Investigation into Ezzell’s claimed employment at an aircraft plant in Los Angeles, which was later disputed by his wife.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation, with Tampa office coordinating efforts.  
- **Secret Service**: Involved in disseminating information related to the case.  
- **Orange County Drivers License Office and Auto Tag Office, Orlando, Florida**: Provided records on Ezzell’s license and vehicle history.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies in Jacksonville, Florida; Robins AFB, Georgia; and Charleston, South Carolina**: Received copies of the investigation for compliance purposes.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

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