</s>THRILLING CITIES Leonard Russell Joey Glinco Frederick Bussy Mr. Frere Francis "The Immune" Maritote Hugh Barton Charles "Cherry Nose" Gioce Jack Condor Richard Hauff Pierre Jaccoud Dick Hughes Cosmo Orlando Charles Zumbach Kadoorie Carlo "Bananas" Urbaniti Richard Mason Ripa Andre Zumbach Dr. Lobo Joseph Broge Professor Pittard Samuel Montague Gene Gleason Professor Waldman Len Cosgrove Dan Jacobson Salvatori Funari "Cos" Dan Barlow "Tiger" Salto Felix Leiter Alan Searle Marthe Richard Mr. Fratinelli Antony Terry Captain James Hamilton Knoeller Captain James Peterson "Rickey" Renee Professor Phillip Fox Dr. Julius Raab Colonel Edward Bradley Dr. Krieksy Ben Goffsen Anton Karas Ray Russell Colonel Podharsky Charles Beaumont Dr. Bircher-Brenner Ray Brennan -12- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (1964–1965) and post-release, focusing on potential ties to criminal organizations like "Cooley's Club," a prison-based protection network. Ray was monitored for alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., with a confidential source reporting interactions with inmates such as Thomas Britton, who allegedly shared details about Ray’s activities. Ray participated in prison lottery operations, had financial disputes with fellow inmates, and was described as a solitary individual with no known Alabama associates but an interest in Southern newspapers. The FBI sought to locate Ray and assess his access to resources or connections within prison networks. The documents also include unrelated administrative records, such as lists of fictional characters from films like *Octopussy* and *Chitty Chitty Bang Bang*, procedural filings for case management, and inquiries into individuals like Charles W. Clark (Hopewell, Virginia), D.E.D. Catlett (Prince George County, Virginia), Carlos Lee Billings (Westwego, Louisiana), and Marvin W. Heeren (Atlanta, Georgia). Investigations referenced FBI field offices in Memphis, Kansas City, Birmingham, and New York, as well as prison records, telephone communications, and travel ticket tracking for J.A. Smith (possibly linked to Ray).  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central suspect; incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary, monitored for potential ties to criminal organizations and alleged involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Thomas Britton**: Former inmate who allegedly provided information about Ray’s activities and possible plans.  
- **"Cooley's Club" members**: Inmates involved in a prison protection organization; Ray was associated with this group.  
- **Johnny Valenti** (nicknamed "DARO") and "Boston": Inmates in J Hall, part of the lottery operations Ray participated in.  
- **CRAIG**: A prisoner who joined Cooley’s Club and mediated disputes among inmates.  
- **Charles W. Clark**: Resided in Hopewell, Virginia; employment, credit history, and KKK associations noted.  
- **D.E.D. Catlett**: Former drug store manager in Prince George County, Virginia.  
- **Carlos Lee Billings**: Rented apartment in Westwego, Louisiana, with an unknown companion described as violent.  
- **Marvin W. Heeren**: International salesman; visited Atlanta during MLK’s funeral.  
- **J.A. Smith**: Individual linked to travel ticket purchases (possibly connected to Ray).  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration; key location for prison activities and interactions with other inmates.  
- **J Hall**: Specific cellblock within the penitentiary where Ray was assigned.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned in context of Ray’s alleged post-release activities and potential connections to Southern newspapers.  
- **Hopewell, Virginia**: Clark’s residence and employment.  
- **Westwego, Louisiana**: Billings’ rental history.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Heeren’s visit during MLK’s funeral.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: FBI investigation hub.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s incarceration (1964–1965)**: Monitored for criminal associations and potential involvement in the MLK assassination.  
- **Prison lottery operations**: Ray participated in wagering activities, including delivering and collecting tickets for lotteries managed by inmates like Johnny Valenti.  
- **Financial disputes**: Ray had conflicts with other inmates over gambling debts and was involved in resolving grievances through CRAIG.  
- **Alleged assassination plot**: The source claimed Ray discussed potential methods to kill MLK, though no direct evidence is provided.  
- **FBI investigations**: Field offices tracked Ray’s movements, associations, and residences; verified prison records, telephone communications, and travel ticket purchases.  
- **Inquiries into Clark’s associations**: Included employment, credit history, and KKK ties.  
- **Billings’ rental history**: Investigated alongside his companion described as violent.  
- **Heeren’s movements**: Detailed visits to Atlanta during MLK’s funeral in April 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- **Cooley's Club**: A prison-based protection organization with influence over guards and the ability to arrange murders for a price.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central to all investigations, including field offices in Memphis, Kansas City, Birmingham, and New York.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary inmate networks**: Including the lottery system and prisoner-led groups like Cooley's Club.  
- **Ku Klux Klan (KKK)**: Mentioned in Clark’s associations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_170-03-part_4_of_5.pdf

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