</s>KC 44-760 3 Relatives are listed: Sister: CHERRI PICO, 1278 EAST 126th, Los Angeles, California; Brother: JOSEPH M. STEWART, Berculaneum, Missouri; Sister! NANCY STEWARD, At. 2, Bonne Terre, Missouri. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) from November 1966 to November 1967, his interactions with inmates, and alleged plans related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Ray discussed smuggling activities via fishing boats in Mexican waters, potential $100,000 reward for killing MLK through the Business Men’s Association, and anti-Mexican, anti-Black, and anti-King graffiti at San Francisco’s St. Francis Hotel. Inmate Lillibridge reported Ray referred to MLK as "Martin Luther Coon," while Thomas Britton described Ray as a quiet individual with plans to rob banks and kill King. Ray was part of prison lotteries and affiliated with the Cooley's Organization, which handled grievances and had ties to guards. He attempted an escape from MSP and avoided inmate contact. FBI investigations also tracked Earl B. Shields, A.H. Stang (a look-alike in Mexico), and Greyhound bus passengers matching Ray’s physical description. Inmates at MSP denied knowledge of Ray’s escape plans, and no narcotics activity was found in Miller County, Missouri. Charles Dunham claimed Billy Mack Wisdom, a Georgia inmate, may have been an accomplice, though evidence remains inconclusive. FBI efforts included checking safety deposit boxes, mental health records, and verifying Terry M. Ross’s correspondence history.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; incarcerated at MSP from 1966–1967, later escaped, and was considered armed and dangerous.  
- **Lillibridge**: Inmate who reported Ray’s derogatory remarks about MLK and his smuggling plans.  
- **Thomas Britton**: Birmingham, Alabama inmate who interviewed Ray and described his alleged intentions to rob banks and kill King.  
- **Earl B. Shields**: Person of interest with addresses in Massachusetts and Florida; employed at Sun Castle Motel and Plaza East Condominium.  
- **A.H. Stang**: Identified as a look-alike of Ray, staying at Los Glorias Motel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on April 19, 1968.  
- **Billy Mack Wisdom**: Mentioned as a potential accomplice; currently incarcerated in Georgia for burglary.  
- **Charles Dunham**: Provided information about Wisdom’s possible involvement in the assassination.  
- **Beatrice Britton**: Wife of Thomas Britton, denied contact with an unknown male seeking her husband.  
- **Terry M. Ross**: Los Angeles resident with a history of correspondence to the FBI.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and interactions with inmates; located in Jefferson City, Missouri.  
- **St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, California**: Location of graffiti referencing anti-Mexican, anti-Black, and anti-King slurs.  
- **Los Glorias Motel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico**: A.H. Stang’s stay on April 19, 1968.  
- **Redding, California**: Center for bus driver investigations involving Harry Watkins and Terty Mauta.  
- **Little Warrior River Cafe and Rose’s Place, Dora, Alabama**: Establishments frequented by Ray.  
- **All-State Cafe and Night Club, Los Angeles, California**: Operated by Hollises; linked to Terry M. Ross.  
- **Miller County, Missouri**: No narcotics activity found during FBI investigations.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s incarceration and escape**: Ray was housed at MSP from November 1966 to November 1967, later escaped, and avoided inmate contact.  
- **Smuggling and reward plans**: Ray discussed smuggling via fishing boats in Mexican waters and a $100,000 reward for killing MLK through the Business Men’s Association.  
- **Graffiti at St. Francis Hotel**: Anti-Mexican, anti-Black, and anti-King slurs were found at the hotel.  
- **FBI investigations into Shields and Stang**: Efforts to track Shields’ connections and verify Stang as a look-alike of Ray.  
- **Greyhound bus passenger description**: A passenger matching Ray’s physical traits was identified traveling from San Francisco to Seattle on April 26, 1968.  
- **Inmate interviews at MSP**: No knowledge of Ray’s escape plans or whereabouts was reported by Jerry Wayne White and Donald Johnson.  
- **Dunham’s claims about Wisdom**: Dunham alleged Wisdom may have been an accomplice, though no conclusive evidence was found.  
- **Safety deposit box checks**: FBI efforts to uncover financial ties or evidence related to the assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray, Shields, Stang, and other suspects; coordinated with local law enforcement.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Provided inmate records and information about Ray’s interactions.  
- **Georgia State Board of Corrections**: Verified Billy Mack Wisdom’s incarceration status.  
- **U.S. Post Office (Los Angeles)**: Handled Terry M. Ross’ address records for FBI correspondence checks.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_170-03-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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