</s>PD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Vid (Priority) MASS TON CIC CIC CIAD CIAD CIAE EZMAE EMAE OMMAC JAMO ITAM VIAE TON CIAC CIAD OMAE CAAE EAAE OMA CAA HEIMACI MA A, TSIEMI JALIADO 2AM . WOTAUOUCH JOHOHO DOHO DE MAHT FROM ON QU WIROOOL STOUO TON GIUOI 2AM - WOTUOUCH HOOOH DOHOH OMA THIOVOTMI XIRHAR CELTIME . MOMMUM JOHOM CHIOM CHIA EXAM RAO AO VORIC . TOTUOMI .STOUOUOU ELIME CHIOOO CHIA CHIOUO CHIUA CHIUOA CHIA EMA EIOUOH TOUO A 2AM TIO CIC MIEMI CHIA TAHY CHIEWOI WOORIIVA . TEXODOS MOMT MOMA SO CIAM A OONIAT HEPHAND YI CHIYOIOMNE . ROTOUOUCHE MOMI AO AOCOHA NOAHIE HALIOUG 2IJAD NAM . BAN . ELLIAO . EJIAO, EJIIAO. YMAMO EITITITI . HOTOUOUSTEMI SOMAC . MOTIAAN NO MOTOMI THIAM 9O THAAT MI YIAM MI YTIMAO MOHOI .HOTOUSTEMENT BOMAC HIM TIAO 9O STOOTMOO CHIAMO JHOHO SO WOLIVER . WUTUER MOSU CIMA . MEETUO TO TOUOUO THIOMAO THUOCHO HUOOMO JOHO AOHO SOHOMG JOHOA JAKO ITAN . TEAM IM YHAUMAUAT NO SMIT EVIVA CHI A TEAI EMO YTEMT HEMIHEDO Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into multiple individuals linked to potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and political activities in 1967–1968. John Douglas Galt, a suspect associated with Lockheed subcontractors and possibly working at their plant without formal employment, was under scrutiny for alleged ties to anti-Black sentiment and plans to harm MLK. The FBI compiled information on his car (a 1957 Studebaker Hawk), marital issues, and possible divorce. A composite photo of Galt was created by Jerome Wals Vernon based on sightings from January to March 1968.  

Investigations included tracking Galt’s movements, such as a December 1967 phone call to an unnamed individual at Bear Valley Lodge in Lake Alpine, California. Materials found in a room at 113 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, included a Zenith TV (model #205-6), maps of Atlanta areas, and a John Birch Society booklet. Mail addressed to Galt at this location included correspondence from the Locksmith Institute and New Jersey administrative offices.  

Alton Lewis Abston, a prisoner in Los Angeles County Jail, reported that a suspect (described as white, 35–36 years old, with a Southern accent) expressed hatred toward Black people and intended to kill MLK. This suspect was linked to Galt’s composite photo, though the connection remains unclear. Additional inquiries focused on Galt’s potential ties to fishing operations in Panama City, Florida, through Gordon Forbes, though this appears tangential to the MLK investigation.  

Key People  
- **John Douglas Galt**: Suspect under investigation for alleged threats against MLK; associated with Lockheed subcontractors and possibly working at their plant without formal employment.  
- **Alton Lewis Abston**: Prisoner in Los Angeles County Jail who provided information about a suspect linked to anti-Black sentiment and potential intent to harm MLK.  
- **Gordon Forbes**: Linked to Galt via informants; former Memphis resident and charter boat operator in Panama City, FL.  
- **Jerome Wals Vernon**: Created composite photo of Galt based on sightings from January to March 1968.  
- **Inspector N. E. Zachary**: Memphis PD informant referenced in the documents.  

Key Locations  
- **Bear Valley Lodge, Lake Alpine, California**: Site of a December 1967 phone call by Galt; under construction as of December 10, 1967.  
- **113 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia**: Location where materials (TV, maps, John Birch Society booklet) were found.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Informants described Galt’s appearance and alleged connections to criminal networks.  
- **Panama City, Florida**: Linked to Gordon Forbes via informants; fishing operations potentially tied to Galt.  

Key Events  
- **Galt’s employment history and possible Lockheed subcontractor ties**: Investigated for potential involvement in anti-Black activities.  
- **FBI investigation into Galt’s phone calls and movements**: Included tracking of a December 1967 call to Bear Valley Lodge.  
- **Discovery of materials at 113 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta**: Included a Zenith TV, maps, and John Birch Society booklet.  
- **Informant reports on a suspect with anti-Black sentiment**: Linked to Galt’s composite photo but connection remains unclear.  
- **Creation of composite photo of Galt by Jerome Wals Vernon**: Based on sightings from January to March 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted investigations into Galt’s movements, connections, and potential involvement in criminal activities.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Provided information on Galt’s alleged associations with individuals linked to burglary cases.  
- **Los Angeles County Jail**: Where Alton Lewis Abston was incarcerated and provided informant reports.  
- **Locksmith Institute**: Mentioned in mail addressed to Galt at 113 Fourteenth Street NE, Atlanta.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_001-02-part_4_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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