</s>TELETYPE URGENT 12/10/76 CLEAR FM DIRECTOR (44-38861) 1 - Mr. Helterhoff TO MEMPHIS (44-(1987) URGENT BT CLEAR 0 MURKIN RECKET DECEMBER 3, 1976, AND MEMPHIIS TELETYPE DECEMBER 10, 1976. IN ORDER TO FURTHER RESOLVE ALLEGATION OF ALFRED WILLIAM MARTINEZ, PROMPLY INSTITUTE INVESTIGATION TO LOCATE AND INTERVIEW JIMMIE W. RAY, WHOSE NAME APPEARED ON THE CORRESPON- DENCE LIST OF WILLIAMS B. SIMPONIS AS SET FORTH IN REFERENCED KANSAS CITY TELETYPE TO DETERMINEE IF IF HE IS ACTUALLY THE "RAY" REFERRED TO MARTINEz. IF JIMMIE W.RAY IS LOCATED, INTER- VIEW HIM TO DETEMPERINE IF SIMPONS CORRESSPONDED WITH HIM WHILE IN JAIL IN SALT LAKE CITY, NATURE OF ANY SUCH RESPONDENCE, AND WHEETHER HE HAS ANY ASSOCIATION WITH JAMES EARL RAY OR CAPTIONED MATTER. SUUTEL SUMMARY RESULTS. Aaser-D. Dr. BT De-AD Adm. Adm. AD In- HN-JGw (39) Adm-Adm .- Adm -Adm .. Adm, Adm ., Adm ,- FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF INVESTICATION SEE NOTE PAGE TWO. 6.6 Pera. COMMUNICATIONS SECTION Rec. 87.4.3886.1-1.1.11: Inn. Inn .- Inn .. Inn ... 20.10.1976 Legal Cour. Legal Cour .- SRS Re-Ed. Televate. Televat. 17 DEC 18 1976 Televator. Televater. MAIL ROOM TELETYPEE UNIT 84 DEC2 1 1976 GPD-1-0-207-254 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains a series of federal records related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including FBI identification records, memoranda from the Department of Justice, and investigative notes. It references an ongoing FBI investigation into the assassination, noting that preliminary findings were shared with the Assistant Attorney General in 1976. The report includes details about individuals such as Jimmie Wayne Ray, Alfred William Martin, William Simpson, and John Willard, who were implicated in alleged connections to the case. A bullet recovered from King’s body was analyzed by the FBI Laboratory, identified as a 30-caliber metal projectile potentially fired from a Remington rifle, though conclusive identification could not be made due to damage. The document also mentions discussions about an artist's depiction of a rifle found at the assassination scene and references to New Orleans-based figures like Frank LaBerto and Gus Joseph Prosch, linked to organized crime groups such as the Creek Mafia. The records indicate that further investigation was contingent on Department of Justice directives and include notes from multiple FBI field offices.  

Key People  
- Jimmie Wayne Ray (involved in theft cases, referenced in FBI records)  
- Alfred William Martin (allegedly implicated in the case)  
- William Simpson (mentioned alongside Martin)  
- John Willard (linked to a Memphis motel stay during the assassination)  
- Gus Joseph Prosch (connected to New Orleans and alleged ties to King’s assassination)  
- Frank LaBerto (associated with the Creek Mafia in New Orleans)  
- Fred G. (referenced in Department of Justice communications)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (motel where King was staying; referenced in bullet analysis and witness accounts)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (source of investigative reports and FBI correspondence)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (linked to Frank LaBerto and the Creek Mafia)  
- Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Kansas City offices (FBI field offices involved in the investigation)  

Key Events  
- Analysis of a 30-caliber bullet recovered from King’s body by the FBI Laboratory (undetermined origin due to damage)  
- Investigation into alleged connections between individuals like John Willard, Gus Joseph Prosch, and Frank LaBerto to the assassination  
- Communication between the FBI and the Department of Justice regarding the case, with notes on whether further action was required  
- Reference to an artist’s depiction of a rifle found at the assassination scene (described as a bolt-action weapon in some reports)  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (central to the investigation, provided identification records and bullet analysis)  
- United States Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division; received investigative updates and directives)  
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA; mentioned in context of FBI communications)  
- U.S. Secret Service (referenced as a source of information on John Willard)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_29-06-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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