</s>2 LA 44-1574 Mrs. KEEP described RAY as male Caucassian, 35 - 36 years old, 5'10" - 5'11" - husky build, broad shoulders are appeared to have muscular arms under his coat; weighed and appeared to weigh light arms hair, under his short on top and a little longer on the sides: full face; cleft in his chin; wearing a gray checked sports coat, whip and arm. He is wearing a grey checked sports collar, appearant and spoke with a slight Southern or Western accent. RAY was talkative but restricted his conversation to the tickets. -2- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into individuals linked to potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and related activities in 1967–1968. Harold J. Thome, who attempted to meet MLK in Atlanta, Georgia, is tracked through his son Stephen Thome, who resides in Los Angeles. Credit records from Union Oil and Shell Oil show Thome’s travel between Arizona, New Jersey, Atlanta, Texas, and California. A 1966 Buick purchased by Thome was repossessed, with details provided by Paul Zander of Union Bank. The FBI also investigates James E. Sims, a stepfather connected to a car sale in Houston, Texas, and Karen Vanderford, who received letters about her family’s relocation to Michigan. Ronald Denning, a suspect with prior arrests for burglary, drug offenses, and probation violations, is noted as having connections to Los Angeles and Denver-Chicago trucking operations. The FBI documents emphasize tracking Thome’s movements and financial activity while noting Denning’s potential involvement in illicit activities. Additional reports include interviews with John Howard, who described encountering a man at Zambang restaurant making racist remarks about MLK’s assassination, and inquiries into Richard A. Works’ movements in 1968. Venereal disease records for a subject were checked by Dr. Walter Smartt but found no matches. Investigations also involve George Mockee, Tony Bruno (stated as an FBI agent), Stephen Aubert, Deborah Ray, Angie Ray, James Earl Ray, RAY F. SESMA, and Darlene B. De Luca’s stolen credit cards. A witness described a man resembling James Earl Ray with specific physical traits, comparing him to a 1960 photograph of Ray but noting facial differences. FBI efforts to locate Thome via credit and postal records found no trace after November 1967, while Sims’ residence was confirmed at 7th Street, Los Angeles.  

Key People  
- Harold J. Thome (subject of investigation, attempted to meet MLK)  
- Stephen Thome (son of Harold Thome, contacted by FBI)  
- Karen Vanderford (linked to James E. Sims via family connections)  
- James E. Sims (stepfather associated with car sale in Houston)  
- Ronald Denning (suspect with burglary, drug offenses, and probation violations)  
- John Howard (co-manager of premises in Los Angeles; reported encounter at Zambang restaurant)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (described as a man seen at Zambang with physical traits matching James Earl Ray)  
- Richard A. Works (auto mechanic and creative engineer; detailed movements in 1968)  
- Adrian Rose (resident of Los Angeles with no direct information on MLK’s assassination)  
- Dr. Walter Smartt (checked venereal disease records for a subject)  
- Deborah Ray (interviewed regarding Wilshire Book Company mailing list and photographs of James Earl Ray)  
- Angie Ray (spouse of James Edmund Ray; interviewed about photographic comparisons)  
- James Earl Ray (subject of multiple inquiries, including photographic comparisons and alleged theft connections)  
- RAY F. SESMA (linked to Eric S. Galt and prostitution activity in Hollywood)  
- Darlene B. De Luca (reported stolen credit cards and described a suspect resembling James Earl Ray)  
- Lloyd D. Johnson (FBI document preparer)  
- Frank J. Mo Clean (U.S. Post Office superintendent providing information on Sims)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California (central to FBI investigations; Zambang restaurant at 3331 West Eighth Street)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (site of MLK meeting attempt by Harold Thome; EHC S. GALT’s abandoned car investigation)  
- Houston, Texas (car sale linked to James E. Sims)  
- Michigan (mentioned in Karen Vanderford’s family relocation)  
- Denver-Chicago trucking routes (associated with Ronald Denning)  
- Fulton, Mississippi (Richard A. Works’ residence and military service history)  
- Glendale, California (home of Richard A. Works’ sister)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (visited by Richard A. Works in 1958)  
- Huntington Beach, California (site of police involvement related to Darlene B. De Luca’s stolen property)  
- San Antonio, Texas (mentioned in John L. Winton’s attendance at a convention; Ramada Inn location)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Harold Thome’s whereabouts and financial activity (1967–1968)  
- Credit card records showing Thome’s travel between 1967–1968  
- Repossession of Thome’s 1966 Buick by Union Bank  
- Investigation into James E. Sims’ car sale and family connections  
- Ronald Denning’s criminal history, including burglary, drug offenses, and probation violations  
- FBI tracking of potential threats to MLK through financial and movement data  
- April 1968: FBI interviews with John Howard and Richard A. Works; Howard’s encounter at Zambang restaurant with a man making racist remarks about MLK’s assassination  
- May–June 1968: FBI checks on venereal disease records for a subject, finding no matches  
- April–May 1968: Richard A. Works’ movements between Mississippi and California, including visits to hospitals and his sister’s home  
- Investigation into tire molds linked to EHC S. GALT’s abandoned car in Atlanta, Georgia  
- Confrontation at the AUBERT residence involving George Mockee, Stephen Aubert, and police officers  
- Photographic comparisons of individuals (including James Earl Ray) with Deborah Ray, Angie Ray, and others  
- Inquiry into Darlene B. De Luca’s stolen credit cards and identification, including a suspect described as resembling James Earl Ray  
- Interview with RAY F. SESMA regarding Eric S. Galt and prostitution activity in Hollywood  
- FBI investigation to locate Harold J. Thome via credit and postal records (May 1968)  
- Witness description of a man matching physical traits of James Earl Ray, including comparison to historical photographs (May 1968)  
- U.S. Post Office inquiry confirming James E. Sims’ residence at 7th Street, Los Angeles (May 22, 1968)  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)  
- Union Oil Company  
- Shell Oil Company  
- Barnett Buick Company  
- Denver-Chicago trucking operations  
- United States Navy/Army  
- Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company  
- Wilshire Book Company  
- Los Angeles County Health Department  
- U.S. Post Office  
- Retail Merchants Credit Association

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_008-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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