</s>SEP 4 12.23.PH18 RECEIVED FBI NO 23 2 47/N 18 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities between 1965 and 1969, focusing on his movements in Mexico, associations with informants, financial transactions, and potential links to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Key elements include Ray’s alleged stays at hotels in Puerto Vallarta (Hotel Rio, Hotel Tropicana, Oceano Hotel) and Guadalajara, vehicle registration records for a white Mustang with Alabama license plates (1-38593), tire purchases linked to Firestone tires (7.50 X 14) sold on May 9, 1969, and interactions with informants such as hotel staff, prostitutes, and local residents. The FBI tracked Ray’s border crossings, financial activities, and associations, including his arrest in London (June 6, 1965), extradition to the U.S., and subsequent detention in Memphis, Tennessee, for murder charges related to MLK’s assassination. Mexican authorities were queried about Ray’s exit from the country but could not confirm records of his departure despite efforts to track a tourist card associated with him.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER): Central figure under investigation; linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- GALT: Possibly an alias for Ray, referenced in hotel registration and surveillance records.  
- Robert Wong: Hotel employee at Hotel Rio, Puerto Vallarta, who provided information on Ray’s stay.  
- Margarita Montre/Moca: Prostitute in Puerto Vallarta who reported interactions with Ray.  
- Eliza Arellino: Former employee at Hotel Rio and Posada Vallarta who described Ray’s activities.  
- Minuela Aguirre: Reported encounters with GALT (possibly JER) in Puerto Vallarta.  
- Miss FRERRIDZ, Mrs. FREGCO, AMA MARL MADERO: Firestone tire store employees involved in transactions linked to Ray’s Mustang.  
- FBI agents: Joe C. Heston, John Minnich, George Zeiss; conducted investigations and surveillance.  

Key Locations  
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico: Sites of Ray’s hotel stays (Hotel Rio, Hotel Tropicana, Oceano Hotel), tire purchases, and interactions with informants.  
- Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico: Mentioned in connection with Ray’s financial records and activities.  
- Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico: Border crossing point for the Mustang vehicle.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Where Ray was held in Shelby County Jail awaiting trial for murder.  
- London, England: Site of Ray’s 1965 arrest and extradition to the U.S.  
- Firestone Tire stores in Puerto Vallarta: Linked to tire purchases tied to Ray’s car.  

Key Events  
- Ray’s alleged stay at Hotel Rio (October–November 1967) and subsequent movements in Puerto Vallarta, including interactions with hotel staff, prostitutes, and locals.  
- Investigation into Ray’s white Mustang with Alabama license plates (1-38593), registered in Mexico, and its tire purchases linked to Firestone records.  
- FBI efforts to track Ray’s border crossings, financial transactions, and associations, including Mexican tourist card records and toll call logs.  
- Ray’s arrest in London (June 6, 1965) and extradition to the U.S., where he was detained for murder charges related to MLK’s assassination.  
- Mexican authorities’ inability to confirm Ray’s exit from the country despite efforts to track his tourist card.  
- Surveillance of GALT/JER in Puerto Vallarta, including interactions at Casa Susana and descriptions of his car, spending habits, and behavior.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities, including surveillance, financial tracking, and extradition efforts.  
- Mexican Immigration Authorities: Reviewed records related to Ray’s border crossings and tourist permits.  
- Firestone Tire & Rubber Company: Provided tire purchase records linked to Ray’s Mustang.  
- Hotel Management (Hotel Rio, Tropicana, Oceano): Provided registration details and witness accounts of Ray’s stays.  
- Telefonos de Mexico: Reviewed long-distance call records associated with GALT/Ray during 1957–1960.  
- Banco Industrial de Jalisco, C.A.: Financial institution referenced in Ray’s transactions.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-04-part_2_of_4.pdf

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