</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-84) F.B.I Date: 5/14/68 Transmit the following in PLAIN TEXT (Type in plantexet or code) Vic TELETYPE URGENT (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-88861)-6-PM HONOLULU- VI-WA MEMPHIS-6-6PM ST. LOUIS-VIA-6 PM SPRINGFIELD, ILL ., 6PM FROM: KANSAS CITY (44 -7600) MURKIN. FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RE JAMES LAOMA OWENS, NUMBER ZERO ZERO ONE EIGHT FOUR, WAS OBTAINED FROM THE MSP RECORDS. HE WAS RECEIVED MSP FEB FIVE NINETEEN-SIXTEEN-SIXY FROM ST. louis to SERVE A SEVEN YEAR SENTENCE ON CHARGE OF ROBBERY FIRST. HE HAS DISCHARGED IN JAN TWO NINTEENTEEN, SIXTYFOUR. A DETAINER IN FAVOR OF DIV OF SUPERVISION OF PAROLES, SPRINCFIELD, Ill ., WAS FILLED FEB TWENTYTHREE NINETHREE NINEETEENTEENTHREE SIXTENTY.SIXTY. OWENS DESCRIBED FOUR DOB ELVINS, NO ., FIVE FEET FOUR INCHES, ONE HUNDRED FORTYNINE POUNDS, BROWN HAIR, BLUE EYES, MEDIUM COMPLEXION, STOCKY BUILD, OCCUPATION BARBER, TATTOO OF SHIP ON LEFT FORFORM. RELATIVES MOTHER IDA OWEN, FIVE ONE SEVEN FIFTH FIFTY ST ., HONULULU, HAWAII; BROTHER ERNIST OWENS; SAME ADDRESS; WIFE Selected Selected R.RHBH: IKC Sealed Induced (1) Filed Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent P.M Per 8 816 44-760-817 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI records from May 14, 1968, focusing on investigations into individuals with criminal histories, parole status, and travel activity. James Laoma Owens (MSP #00184), released from Missouri State Penitentiary in January 1964 after a seven-year robbery sentence, is noted for his last known location in St. Louis during the summer of 1967. The FBI sought to locate Owens and check bank records in St. Louis, while also requesting fingerprint comparisons. A travel ticket purchased by A.J.A. Smith for a trip from Los Angeles to Atlanta is referenced, with details about TWA credit card usage. Records also mention J. Wray, an inmate at MSP, and his connection to Laurence Eugene Wray (FBI #98105B), a subject of a Kansas City file.  

Key People  
- James Laoma Owens (MSP #00184)  
- Ida Owens (mother)  
- Ernest Owens (brother)  
- Laurence Eugene Wray (FBI #98105B)  
- A.J.A. Smith (traveler)  
- James Duane Wray (inmate no. W-06720, Missouri State Penitentiary)  
- Cecil Lillibridge (detained at Cole County Jail)  
- Deputy Sheriff JE Roy Smith (Cole County, Missouri)  
- SAC 44-760 (FBI Kansas City field division)  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)  
- St. Louis, Missouri  
- Honolulu, Hawaii  
- Los Angeles, California  
- Atlanta, Georgia  
- Cole County Jail (Jefferson City, Missouri)  
- Springfield, Missouri (TV stations KYTV and KTTS-TV)  

Key Events  
- Owens' release from MSP in 1964 and subsequent parole status  
- FBI efforts to locate Owens and Menard brothers  
- Travel ticket investigation involving A.J.A. Smith  
- Parole records for J. Wray and Laurence Eugene Wray  
- Fingerprint comparison request for Owens  
- Distribution of James Earl Ray’s photographs to media outlets for public identification (May 3, 1968)  
- FBI directive to display Ray’s photograph to witnesses in unsolved crimes  
- Inmate cell assignment records from the Missouri State Penitentiary (October 25–December 7, 1966)  
- Notification of Cecil Lillibridge’s detention status and release tracking  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kansas City Field Division  
- Missouri State Penitentiary  
- Cole County Sheriff’s Department  
- Missouri Department of Corrections  
- U.S. Department of Corrections (Missouri)  
- United States Government (declassification under Executive Order 14176)

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_170-03-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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