</s>FBI JACKSVILLE FBI WASH DC 3-2PM URGENT 6/1/68 GPH TO JACKSONVILLE 44-769 FROM DIRECTOR 44-38861 IP MURKIN REJKAIRTELL FIVE TWENTY-EIGHT LAST. IN VIEW OF FACT THAT PROJECT TO REVIEW DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL BE AT COST OF THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BUREAU, YOU SHOULD NOT INSTITUTE CHECK OF DRIVER's LICENSE OF MONTHS OF APRIL AND MAY, SIXTY-EIGH. YOU SHOULD, HOWEVER, INSURE THAT APPROPRIATE STOPS ARE MAINTAINED CONCERNING SUBJECT AND HIS KNOWN ALIASES IN EVENT APPLICATION FOR DRIVER?S LICENSE IS MADE UNDER THESE NAMES. ADVICE BUREAUR IF REVIEW OF RECORDS INVOLVES ANY UNDUE PROBLEM OR WILL INVOLVE EXTENSIVE UTILIZATION OF PERSONNEL. AIR MAIL TO MEMPHIS, MIAMI AND TAMPA. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. END BJN SEDOBCRKNAGRAPHY SHOULD BE LA LAST WORD SHD BE DRIVER 'S SEARCHED INDEXED SERIALIZED: FILLED JUN 1 1968 FBI ACONVILLE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records from June 1968 detailing investigations into Paul Osborn Bridgeman and his potential connections to James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Bridgeman’s movements, aliases, family ties, employment history, and alleged associations with Ray were examined. The FBI sought information on his whereabouts through interviews with relatives, coworkers, and acquaintances, including Carol Norton (his former wife), Jim Davis (a cousin), Roy and Edith Babbs (relatives of his deceased mother), and Robert L. Koger (an uncle). Bridgeman was identified as a former inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) and had contact with Ray during incarceration. The investigation also focused on Ramon George Sneyd, who used Bridgeman’s name to obtain a passport linked to Ray. Efforts to locate Bridgeman included searches in Daytona Beach, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; Toronto, Canada; and London, England. Coordination with law enforcement agencies, border authorities, and the Department of Public Safety, Florida, was noted. The FBI suspended active tracking after Bridgeman was located by the Minneapolis Division.  

Key People  
- **Paul Osborn Bridgeman**: Suspect linked to James Earl Ray; investigated for his connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; connected to Bridgeman through aliases and prison records.  
- **Carol Norton**: Former wife of Bridgeman, provided information about his relatives and whereabouts.  
- **Jim Davis**: Cousin of Bridgeman, reported to have protected him in the past.  
- **Roy and Edith Babbs**: Relatives of Bridgeman’s deceased mother; claimed to have contact with him before his disappearance.  
- **Robert L. Koger**: Uncle of Bridgeman, mentioned as a potential contact.  
- **Ramon George Sneyd**: Individual using Bridgeman’s name to obtain a passport; suspected of being Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Daytona Beach, Florida**: Bridgeman was believed to reside in this area; FBI conducted searches and interviews here.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Home to the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), where Bridgeman was incarcerated.  
- **Toronto, Canada**: Sneyd resided here and used a Canadian passport under the name Ramon George Sneyd.  
- **London, England**: Sneyd’s intended destination after departing Canada; suspected to be using a Canadian passport.  

Key Events  
- **FBI investigation into Bridgeman**: Traced his movements, employment, and prison records, linking him to Ray.  
- **Passport fraud by Sneyd**: Used Bridgeman’s name to obtain a British Commonwealth passport, raising suspicions of identity fraud.  
- **Prison contact between Bridgeman and Ray**: Both were inmates at MSP; Bridgeman played baseball for the “Mets” team, which Ray also joined.  
- **Suspension of search efforts**: After Bridgeman was located by the Minneapolis Division, the FBI discontinued active tracking.  
- **Border alerts**: FBI instructed border authorities to monitor Sneyd under the name Ramon George Sneyd.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted investigations into Bridgeman, Ray, and Sneyd; coordinated with field divisions and border agencies.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Bridgeman’s former incarceration site; linked to his contact with Ray.  
- **Department of Public Safety, Florida**: Reviewed driver’s license applications as part of the investigation.  
- **Border and Customs Authorities**: Notified about Sneyd’s potential entry into the U.S. under a false identity.

MLK Declassified Files

44-jk-769_739798_02-01-part_3_of_3.pdf

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