</s>PAGE TWO (ME 58-10057) E.F.T.O. TITLE CHANGED TO ADD ALIAS LARRY HACKER. RE KNOXVILLE TELETYPE TO THE BUREAU AND ALL SAC'S, JUNE 11, 1977, AND KNOXVILLIE TELETYPE TO THE BUREAU, JUNE 11. 1977. FOR INFO OFFICES BUREAT, RECEIVING REFERENCED KNOXVIILLE. TELETYPE TOU THE BURRAU, June 11, 1971, ON JUNE 111, 1977. COMPLAINT AUTHORIZED BY USAG GRIFFIN BELL THROUGH SPECIAL ASSISTANT FREDERICK BARRON AND PREPARED BY AUSA EDWARD WILSON ASSISTAN FREDRICK BARRON AND SAROMALD L. JOHNSON WILSON AT KNOXVILLE, TENN ,, WAS FILED BY SA RONALD L ., JOHNSON BEFORE USDJ FRANK A. KAUFMANN AT KNOWVILLE CHARGING SUBJECT HACKERY WAS IN VIOLATION TITLE 18, USC, SECTION 371, IN UNLAWFULLY, ETC, IN VIOTATION TITILE 18, USC, SECTION 31, SECTION 1973. IT. IS RECOMMENDED THAT SUBJECT TO BEELD WITHOUT BOND. A REVIEW OF MEMPHIS FILE CONCERNING HACKERS REVEALS THAT HE IS A W.M. 32 YEARS OF AGE, 61", 170 LBS ., ACNE SCARS ON FACE, TATTOOS OF SPIDER ON LEFT 6'1", 170 LABS .- ON RIGHT FOREARN, DOB GRAY EYES, AND'LARRY' ON RIGHT RESIDENCE HAMILTON, OHIO. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary  
The document details a federal investigation into the 1977 escape from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Tennessee involving James Earl Ray, a suspect in the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other fugitives. The escape occurred on June 10–11, 1977, during a supervised exercise period, facilitated by staged incidents (a fight and a fake accident) to divert guard attention. Ray, described as white male, 49 years old, 5'10", 170 pounds, with black-gray hair and blue eyes, was serving a 99-year sentence for the murder of King. Other escapees included Larry Edward Hacker (32, 6'1", 170 lbs), Douglas Shelton (5'10", 157 lbs), David Lee Powell (28, 6'1", 158 lbs), Donald Ray Caylor (5'6", 130 lbs), and Earl Hill Jr. (5'6", 135 lbs). All were convicted of violent crimes, including murder, robbery, and burglary. The FBI coordinated a nationwide search using helicopters, bloodhounds, roadblocks, and border stops to prevent international flight. A twin-engine aircraft registered to Jerry Leeds in Henderson, Kentucky, was noted as potentially involved in fugitive movements. Legal actions included federal warrants for Ray’s arrest under conspiracy charges related to violating the unlawful flight statute.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: White male, 49 years old, 5'10", 170 pounds, black-gray hair, blue eyes; suspect in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, serving a 99-year sentence at Brushy Mountain State Prison.  
- **Larry Edward Hacker**: White male, 32, 6'1", 170 lbs, with acne scars and tattoos; associated with Willie Foster Sellers.  
- **Douglas Shelton**: White male, 5'10", 157 lbs; convicted of assault, murder, and grand larceny.  
- **David Lee Powell**: Negro male, 28, 6'1", 158 lbs; convicted of murder.  
- **Donald Ray Caylor**: White male, 5'6", 130 lbs, with a surgical scar; served multiple sentences for armed conspiracy and assault/murder.  
- **Earl Hill Jr.**: White male, 5'6", 135 lbs; convicted of murder, rape, and assault; escaped from Nashville State Prison in 1974.  
- **Jerry Leeds**: Individual connected to aircraft ownership (De Haviland BN2 Otter) linked to fugitive movements.  

Key Locations  
- **Brushy Mountain State Prison**, Tennessee: Site of the prison escape.  
- **Knoxville, Tennessee**: Location of federal and local law enforcement coordination.  
- **Hamilton, Ohio**: Residence of Larry Edward Hacker and his family.  
- **Henderson, Kentucky**: Home of Jerry Leeds; location of aircraft surveillance.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**: Address linked to Murnan M. Openchain; site of Earl Hill Jr.’s 1974 escape.  

Key Events  
- **June 10–11, 1977**: Escape from Brushy Mountain State Prison using a makeshift ladder and staged incidents (fight and fake accident) to divert guards.  
- **June 11, 1977**: Federal warrant issued for James Earl Ray’s arrest under conspiracy charges related to violating the unlawful flight statute.  
- **May 5, 1969**: Criminal court jury convicted Earl Hill Jr. for murdering a Washington, D.C. policeman in Tennessee.  
- **April 13, 1977**: Larry Edward Hacker arrested in Norfolk, Virginia.  
- **June 7, 1977**: Aircraft (De Haviland BN2 Otter) purchased by Jerry Leeds in Henderson, Kentucky; surveillance conducted to track fugitives and aircraft movements.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led the investigation into the prison escape, issued warrants for fugitives, and coordinated nationwide tracking efforts.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Authorized legal actions against fugitives, including conspiracy charges under Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 371 and 1973.  
- **Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: Involved in tracking fugitives across states, surveillance operations, and arrests.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ip-563_404058_167-03-part_7_of_8.pdf

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