</s>4-496 (BEV. 11-20-73) STATES 6196-6163-130 44-HO-388891 H. S. Department of Justice MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FI MATERIAH MUST NOT be REMOVEO FROM OR ADDED TO THI FI ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY HISTORIAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES SECTION 87 INVESTIGATION SECTION 88 ATTENTION SERIALS 6106-6136-15130 BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT OR PROCESSIONING ANY RELEASE TO FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FO/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT USE CARE IN HANDULING THIS FILE FB/DOJ COPIED FOR CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ENCLOSES FOLPA Transfer-Call 3421 JUN 20 1971 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s escape from Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP) in the 1960s and his alleged financial activities within the facility, including misconduct reports and potential ties to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Correspondence between FBI agents and Missouri officials, such as George M. Camp, discusses Ray’s ledger account, prison conduct, and possible connections to the assassination. Legal proceedings involving FOIA requests for declassified materials are referenced, including the case *Weisberg v. U.S. Department of Justice*, where plaintiffs sought disclosure of investigation records. FBI reviews of files, interviews with former inmates and staff, and discussions about Ray’s alleged contraband operations and escape planning are noted. The text also references a 1975 court ruling dismissing a motion to dismiss as moot, citing good-faith compliance with FOIA.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., investigated for misconduct and escape from MSP.  
- **George M. Camp**: Deputy Director of Missouri Department of Social Services, involved in reviewing Ray’s prison records.  
- **Harold Weisberg**: Plaintiff in FOIA disputes regarding assassination investigation documents.  
- **Thomas L. Wiseman**: FBI Special Agent overseeing FOIA compliance and document searches.  
- **John W. Kilty**: FBI Laboratory agent involved in forensic analysis of evidence.  
- **Reverend Emanuel Cleaver**: Mentioned in correspondence about Ray’s activities.  
- **Lou Miller**: Former MSP inmate who allegedly knew Ray and provided information on his conduct.  
- **Raymond James**: Former MSP inmate cited as a source for George McMillan, who wrote about Ray and King’s assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Central location for Ray’s incarceration and alleged misconduct.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Site of correspondence between officials and the FBI regarding Ray’s prison activities.  
- **Memphis Field Office (FBI)**: Headquarters for the investigation into King’s assassination due to its occurrence in Memphis.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Location of U.S. District Court proceedings involving FOIA requests.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of the "White Mustang" abandonment and cigarette butt recovery.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Location where cigarette butts were recovered as part of evidence analysis.  

Key Events  
- Investigation into James Earl Ray’s escape from MSP and financial dealings within the prison.  
- Review of Ray’s ledger account and misconduct reports by Missouri officials.  
- FBI interviews with former inmates and staff to assess Ray’s potential involvement in King’s assassination.  
- Legal dispute over FOIA compliance, including Weisberg’s allegations of incomplete document disclosure.  
- Court ruling dismissing a motion to dismiss as moot due to the FBI’s good-faith compliance with FOIA requests.  
- Reference to prior legal cases (e.g., *Mercerol v. Levi*) regarding FOIA obligations and document disclosure.  
- Discussion of special search fees and plaintiff’s failure to provide written assurance for additional searches.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted reviews, interviews, and investigations into Ray’s activities and potential ties to King’s assassination.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in legal proceedings and document disclosure under FOIA.  
- **Missouri Department of Social Services**: Handled corrections-related inquiries and provided information on Ray’s prison records.  
- **Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice**: Addressed FOIA compliance and privacy act procedures.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_29-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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