</s>Jules Rico Kimble B8J1 No. 127-206 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and local law enforcement investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on telephone records, witness accounts, and radio transmissions. Key elements include inquiries into phone numbers linked to individuals such as Jules Rico Kimble (filed under New Orleans case #157-10673), James Earl Ray (case #4182, WF #442-A), and others. The FBI examined South Central Bell Telephone Company records in New Orleans, noting connections to addresses and dates tied to suspects. A citizens band radio transmission on April 4, 1968, was investigated by Memphis police and the FBI, with conflicting accounts of a chase involving a white Mustang. Walter Brumley of Bisbee, Arizona, reported encountering an individual resembling James Earl Ray, while Arthur Kent of the Bisbee Police Department noted surveillance efforts and discrepancies in witness statements. The Bureau concluded no further action was warranted due to lack of conclusive evidence linking the radio transmission to the assassination.  

The document also details FBI activities related to legal proceedings involving Charles Q. Stephens, a witness in the case. SAC Memphis (Special Agent in Charge) Jensen appeared in Shelby County, Tennessee state court on August 21, 1968, under subpoena duces tecum to provide documents related to Stephens, who was held as a material witness. The FBI instructed Jensen not to answer questions about the King case and to cite Departmental Orders if necessary. Stephens was released from custody after agreeing not to leave the court’s jurisdiction.  

The document includes requests for FBI Laboratory analysis of financial records linked to James Earl Ray, including checks from the Indian Trail Restaurant in Winnetka, Illinois, payable to John L. Rayns (an alias used by Ray). The FBI sought signature and fingerprint comparisons between these checks and known samples. A tax withholding exemption form is included, though it appears unrelated to the main investigation.  

Key People  
- **Jules Rico Kimble**: Subject of New Orleans file #157-10673, linked to multiple phone numbers (e.g., 924-2993, 525-1935).  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in FBI files and Memphis police investigations.  
- **Walter Brumley**: Bisbee, Arizona resident who reported encountering an individual resembling Ray.  
- **Arthur Kent**: Bisbee Police Department chief involved in surveillance of suspect H. J. Blankenship.  
- **Thomas E. Duhadway**: FBI special agent handling telephone records and case #157-10673.  
- **SAC Memphis (Jensen)**: Special Agent in Charge involved in state court appearance.  
- **Charles Q. Stephens**: Witness in the King assassination case; released from custody after court proceedings.  
- **Harvey L. Gipson**: Attorney for Charles Q. Stephens.  
- **Jim Beasley**: Assistant District Attorney General who oversaw Stephens’ release.  

Key Locations  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Central to telephone record investigations and FBI file management.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the MLK assassination and subsequent radio transmission investigation; also location of state court proceedings involving Charles Q. Stephens.  
- **Bisbee, Arizona**: Location where Walter Brumley encountered a suspect resembling Ray; also linked to H. J. Blankenship’s residence.  
- **Winnetka, Illinois**: Location of Indian Trail Restaurant, source of financial records linked to James Earl Ray.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., followed by a citizens band radio transmission describing a chase involving a white Mustang.  
- **Surveillance efforts**: Bisbee Police Department monitored suspect H. J. Blankenship after Brumley’s encounter with an individual resembling Ray.  
- **Telephone record investigations**: FBI and local agencies reviewed South Central Bell Telephone Company records to trace phone numbers linked to suspects.  
- **August 21, 1968**: SAC Memphis (Jensen) appeared in Shelby County state court under subpoena duces tecum.  
- **Release of Charles Q. Stephens**: Occurred after he agreed not to leave the court’s jurisdiction.  
- **FBI Laboratory analysis**: Requested comparison of signatures and fingerprints from checks linked to James Earl Ray.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted telephone record reviews, coordinated with Memphis police, and concluded no further action was warranted; also provided forensic analysis and issued directives on handling the case.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Investigated the citizens band radio transmission and its potential connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **South Central Bell Telephone Company**: Provided records for FBI inquiries into phone numbers tied to suspects.  
- **Shelby County State Court, Tennessee**: Handled legal proceedings for Charles Q. Stephens.  
- **Indian Trail Restaurant, Inc., Winnetka, Illinois**: Source of financial records tied to James Earl Ray.  

Note: The document contains references to Social Security numbers (SSNs) but does not include actual numbers. Any SSN-like entries are redacted as per guidelines.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-02-part_4_of_4.pdf

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