</s>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Charlotte, North Carolina In Reply, Please Refer to File No. March 22, 1977 JAMES EARL RAY: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR .- VICTIM CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY Surgeon, 911 North Broad Road Durham, North Carolina, who also operates Moore Publishing Company, 907 North Broad Street, reported receipt of a telephone contact on January 27, 1977, from OTIS MOORE, Tomas Verdes Number 40, San Juan, Purchased by the Department of the United States Department of Justice, an opportunity to publish a book by MOORE. MOORE identified himself as a retired United States Army Master Sergeant. He stated in his book, he identified the assassin of MARTin He stated to have previously reported this information to hire MOORE for the assassination. MOOR, during his telephone call, claimed to have Previously reported thisinformation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (PBI) and was KELLEY had and other prospective publishers. The also claimed correspondence with other States Senators FRANK CHURCH and EDWARD KENNEDY. During his call, MOORE said he felt his life was in danger. GRACE indicated there was a possibility he would be back in contact with OTIS MORE about January 30, 1977. concerning publication of the book referred to by MOOR. On March 17, 1977, ORGACE advised he had not had any contact with OTIS MOOR during the latter part of January or contact with Otis MOORE during the Latter, part of since GRACE had returned to Durham, north Carolina, in mid-February 1977, MOOR two contacted GRACE's residence at Durham, North Caroline, on one of these during the time of the investigation. GRACE's wife was staying in Alexandria, Virginia, and was trying to arrange for an appearance before the United states House Committee conducting investigation into the death of THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS NEITHER RECOMMENDATIONS NOR CONCLUSIONS OF THE FBI. IT IS THE PROPERTY AND THE FBI AND IS LOANED TO YOUR AGENCY; IT THE CONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented records from 1974–1977 detailing investigations into potential assassination plots against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and related individuals. OTIS MOORE, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant in Puerto Rico, claimed to possess information about MLK’s assassin and reported feeling threatened by the FBI. A surgeon in Durham, North Carolina, alleged contact with MOORE in January 1977 but later denied it. The FBI noted MOORE did not testify before the U.S. House Committee on Assassinations. MORRIS DAVIS of Birmingham, Alabama, reportedly provided information about a conspiracy involving FRANK LIBERTO and DR. GUS PROSCH to kill MLK, though no action was taken on this report. CLIFTON EUGENE BAIRD, a Louisville, Kentucky police officer, alleged he received threats from the FBI to assassinate MLK for $500,000, leading to an FBI interview in March 1977. The FBI found no records of complaints from BAIRD about threats beyond a 1963 civil rights case. A separate file references MYRON THOMAS BILLETT (also known as Paul Buccelli), a convicted criminal with ties to organized crime, including mob figures like VINCENT SCIATANTE and TONY ACCARDO. Billett’s records include claims of FBI/CIA involvement in "King’s death" and inmate allegations about offers to assassinate MLK linked to the Mafia and law enforcement. A 1974 letter from Billett references these connections, though evidence is vague. Rep. GENE SNYDER (R-KY) is mentioned in a congressional investigation into claims by Clifton Baird regarding an assassination plot against MLK. James Earl Ray, historically implicated in MLK’s assassination, is referenced but not confirmed as involved in the documents. The text also includes unrelated content such as letters to Ellie Dylan, a country music disc jockey, and administrative markings with Russian script.  

Key People  
- OTIS MOORE (retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, Puerto Rico)  
- GRACE (surgeon in Durham, North Carolina; contact with MOORE)  
- MORRIS DAVIS (Birmingham, Alabama; alleged conspiracy to kill MLK)  
- FRANK LIBERTO and DR. GUS PROSCH (alleged conspirators)  
- CLIFTON EUGENE BAIRD (Louisville, Kentucky police officer; alleged FBI threats)  
- MYRON THOMAS BILLETT (Paul Buccelli): Convicted criminal with aliases, incarcerated in Ohio; linked to organized crime and alleged FBI/CIA connections.  
- VINCENT SCIATANTE, TONY ACCARDO: Mob figures associated with Billett’s criminal activities.  
- REPN GENE SNYDER (R-KY)  
- JAMES EARL RAY (historically implicated in MLK’s assassination)  
- ELLIE DYLAN (country music disc jockey)  

Key Locations  
- Durham, North Carolina (GRACE's residence)  
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (MOORE's location)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (MORRIS DAVIS)  
- Louisville, Kentucky (BAIRD's location)  
- Chillicothe Correctional Institution, Ohio (BILLETT’s incarceration site)  
- Cincinnati, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dayton, Ohio; Houston, Texas (locations tied to Billett’s criminal history and associates)  
- Nashville, Tennessee (prison reference)  
- Chicago, Illinois (radio station and Ellie Dylan's broadcasting location)  
- Knoxville, Tennessee (legal trial mention)  

Key Events  
- MOORE’s alleged contact with GRACE in January 1977 and claims of FBI involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- FBI investigation into MORRIS DAVIS’s report about a conspiracy involving LIBERTO and PROSCH.  
- BAIRD’s allegations of FBI threats to assassinate MLK, leading to an FBI interview in March 1977.  
- FBI memorandum noting no records of complaints from BAIRD regarding threats, except for a 1963 civil rights case.  
- FBI investigation of MYRON THOMAS BILLETT (1953–1974): Includes Selective Service Act violations and criminal records.  
- Alleged FBI/CIA involvement in "King’s death" referenced in Billett’s 1974 letter.  
- Inmate claims about offers to assassinate MLK, linked to Mafia and law enforcement.  
- Investigation into alleged assassination plot against MLK involving Clifton Baird and James Earl Ray.  
- Legal proceedings involving Ellie Dylan, George McMillan, and Jerry Ray (brother of James Earl Ray).  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- U.S. House Committee on Assassinations  
- Louisville Police Department (BAIRD’s affiliation)  
- Syndicate/Mafia: Mentioned in context of Billett’s criminal activities and alleged connections to assassinations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_30-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

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