</s>FD . 245 (REV. 4:15-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED DO NOT DESTROY FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL of DECLASSIFICATION DO NOT STRIP STRIP INVESTIGATION Volume Number: 459-531 Bureau File Number DO NOT-DESTROY ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED PRESERVE FOR SELECT HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE 2/11/02 BY SPECIAL CARS COMMITTEE ON ASSINATION See also No. MADE IN U.S.A.E. 18-29260 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and potential assassination plots from 1965 to 1968. Carlos Lee Pillings, a fugitive linked to an alleged 1965 plot to assassinate MLK, was associated with a $50,000 reward offered by unidentified individuals named James and Eddie. Pillings was incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth, Kansas, and had a history of criminal activity. Raymond R. Ray, an inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who escaped in 1967, was investigated for potential ties to MLK-related threats. FBI interviews with inmates and staff described Ray’s behavior, escape methods, and possible associates, though no direct connection to MLK was established.  

Carlos Jee Billings, arrested in Maryland in 1965, was linked to a 1955 plot in Columbia, South Carolina, where he allegedly conspired with James and Eddle to offer $400 each for assassinating "Little King" (a reference to MLK). Billings had a documented history of mental health issues, including institutionalization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and multiple discharges from the U.S. Marine Corps. The FBI sought to verify his background and assess potential involvement in assassination plots.  

James Earl Ray, identified as a suspect in MLK’s assassination, was investigated through teletypes from April 1968. Ray was described as a fugitive with a "shady" background, linked to an anonymous tip about his presence in McPherson, Kansas. Investigations tracked sightings of Ray in Ohio and New York, including records indicating his body was found under a railroad bridge in Albany, New York, on May 2, 1965. Discrepancies in Ray’s employment history and credit checks were noted, along with connections to David Wildson and Richard Harrell, who were investigated for potential ties to the plot.  

Additional FBI efforts focused on verifying James Earl Ray’s status through the Bureau of Corrections, which confirmed he was not wanted. A Tampa-based source claimed George Russell, a former Missouri State Prison inmate, knew Ray but could not confirm details. Investigations also pursued Robert Dale Porter, a former inmate connected to Ray via Jack Lamphere, who alleged Porter sought help after being paroled and facing threats. Stolen cars in Georgia (post-April 6, 1968) were examined for potential ties to Ray.  

Key People  
- **Carlos Lee Pillings**: Fugitive linked to an alleged 1965 assassination plot against MLK; incarcerated at U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth.  
- **Raymond R. Ray**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who escaped in April 1967; investigated for potential ties to MLK threats.  
- **Carlos Jee Billings**: Arrested in Maryland in 1965; linked to a 1955 plot against MLK with James and Eddle.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; identified as a fugitive with ties to anonymous tips and sightings in Ohio, New York, and Kansas.  
- **Jerry Barber**: Alleged associate of Billings; linked to an offer to assassinate MLK for $400.  
- **David Wildson**: Investigated for potential connections to Ray and the assassination plot.  
- **Richard Harrell**: Suspected individual with a history of arrests for theft, battery, and drunk driving.  
- **Robert Dale Porter**: Former Missouri State Prison inmate linked to Ray via Jack Lamphere; alleged threats after parole.  
- **George Russell**: Alleged acquaintance of Ray, former prisoner in Missouri.  
- **Jack Lamphere**: Individual who claimed Porter sought help from him.  
- **Mary Porter**: Porter’s wife, reportedly employed as a waitress.  
- **Betty Ramage**: Individual connected to Porter’s movements.  

Key Locations  
- **U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth** (Leavenworth, KS)  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (St. Louis, MO)  
- **Columbia, South Carolina** (1955 incident involving Billings).  
- **Maryland** (Billings’ arrest in 1965).  
- **Philadelphia, Pennsylvania** (mental institution records for Billings).  
- **Albany, New York** (Ray’s body found under railroad bridge on May 2, 1965).  
- **McPherson, Kansas** (Ray’s alleged residence).  
- **Leavenworth County, Kansas** (law enforcement checks for unsolved crimes linked to Ray).  
- **Houston, Texas**; **Waverly, Iowa**; **Oklahoma City, Oklahoma**; **St. Louis, Missouri**; **Atlanta, Georgia**; **Kansas City, Missouri** (investigation locations).  

Key Events  
- **April 1968**: FBI investigations into threats against MLK, including Pillings’ alleged 1965 plot with a $50,000 reward.  
- **April 1967**: Raymond R. Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary; FBI interviews with inmates and staff to gather information on his associates and escape methods.  
- **March 27, 1965**: Carlos Jee Billings arrested in Maryland on fugitive charges.  
- **April 1968**: FBI teletypes detail investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and connections to the MLK assassination plot.  
- **May 2, 1965**: Body of a man identified as James Earl Ray found under a railroad bridge in Albany, New York.  
- **April 1968**: FBI checks with Leavenworth County law enforcement for unsolved crimes linked to Ray; no unsolved burglaries were confirmed.  
- **Post-April 6, 1968**: Examination of stolen cars in Georgia for potential ties to Ray.  
- **Investigation into Robert Dale Porter’s movements**, including his alleged parole and threats after being released from prison.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Pillings, Ray, Billings, and associated individuals.  
- **U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth**; **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Sites of incarceration for suspects and inmates under investigation.  
- **U.S. Marine Corps**: Documented Billings’ discharge records.  
- **Bureau of Corrections**: Verified Ray’s status as not wanted.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies** (e.g., Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office, Chester County, Pennsylvania; Buffalo General Hospital): Provided criminal and medical records for investigation purposes.  
- **Veterans Administration (VA)**: Sought insurance records for James Earl Ray (policy number N198668336).

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_169-07-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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