</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-54) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date 5/2/68 Mr. DONALD PARNELL, Credit Department, Shell Oil Company. Los Angeles, Advised the record of his company reflected a credit card in the name HARON J. THOMES, however the records reflected the name of the company, J. J. CHARGES, on this card within the last six to eight months, Mr. PARNEILL stated if he learned anything further concerning THOMEs, he would advise the Los Angeles office of the FBI. On 5/22/68 at Los Angeles. California, California File # Los Angeles 4l-1574-0-3/11 SA LLOYD D. JOHNSON Date dictated 5/2 /68 This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI, It is the property of the Fbi and is loaned to your agency, it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of multiple FBI FD-302 forms dated May 1968 detailing investigations into potential connections between James Earl Ray and activities surrounding Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Key entries include:  
- **Haron J. Thomes** was linked to a credit card discrepancy at Shell Oil Company, with the FBI notified if further information emerged.  
- **Marie Condon** described a hitchhiker she picked up on April 28, 1968, near Santa Monica Boulevard, noting his physical description and clothing resembling James Earl Ray’s profile. She later identified photos of Ray as not matching the hitchhiker.  
- **Willis King** at Valley Brass Company mentioned a man resembling Eric Stavo Galt (James Earl Ray) observed at a club in December 1966, but no sightings after January 1967.  
- **Roy Barnett** reported seeing photos of James Earl Ray and stated his neighbor did not match the suspect’s description.  
- **Nellie Webster** described a man matching the King murder suspect’s profile, including dark glasses, and noted discrepancies in his appearance over time. She also mentioned another man using a garage near Irolo Street.  
- **Fred Murphy** detailed interactions with Richard O'Connor at the Hotel Ambassador, noting his presence and a 1965 Mustang linked to Ken Kobayashi. O'Connor’s credit card was found at the hotel, prompting FBI contact.  
- **William Gardner** reported that two women registered at the Hotel Ambassador under Richard O'Connor’s name, leaving unpaid bills and luggage. A credit card in O'Connor's name was discovered, with ties to an Illinois oil company.  
- **Michael Smith** mentioned a man resembling Eric Stavo Galt seen driving a blue El Camino, though no direct link to MLK’s assassination was established.  
- **Jack Irvin** and **Joseph McCarthy** described Dennis Guthrie, a guest at the Huntington Hotel, whose appearance matched FBI wanted posters for James Earl Ray. Guthrie’s belongings were removed after he failed to return on April 24, 1968.  

The documents also include additional FD-302 forms from April–May 1968 detailing interviews with individuals in Los Angeles regarding potential sightings or interactions with persons resembling James Earl Ray or others under investigation. Eddie Mc Knight, a housekeeper at the Huntington Hotel, reported an occupant of Room 447 requesting their room not be cleaned and placing personal items in a brown paper bag. Richard K. Padillie, a hotel bellman, described a man in Room 147 with specific physical traits. Robert Kelley, a clerk at the St. Francis Hotel, noted Russell Johnson’s stay from February to April 1968 and his phone usage. Jack Krupp at a liquor store mentioned an individual resembling Eric Starvo Galt but stated they did not match the artist’s depiction. Angelhardt reported seeing someone resembling James Barry and later observed a car with California plates EZR 721 registered to Saul John. Eric Leroy Casey denied involvement in MLK’s assassination, stating he had no knowledge of the murder and provided his whereabouts since January 1968. Hayes Palmer PuFahl confirmed Casey’s presence with him since January 1968. La Verne Ernest Lohmeyer described travel with Mr. and Mrs. Louis S. Martin to Kansas and their return to Los Angeles.  

Further records detail FBI investigations into individuals associated with James Earl Ray (JEROME WALLIS VERNON) and activities linked to MLK’s assassination. Lee Pink reported seeing an individual resembling Ray at the Los Angeles Farmers Market in April 1968, with descriptions of the subject’s physical appearance. Mrs. Louise Richardson and Frank Dawson provided details about JAY VERNON’s movements and possessions. The FBI documented interactions with United Airlines personnel, including Robert Nichols and Joan Keep, who observed an individual resembling Ray attempting to purchase tickets to Hawaii using a Frontier Airlines credit card linked to Ray. Additional records mention the repossession of a 1962 Ford Van by the U.S. Recovery Agency and details about JAY VERNON’s alleged residence in California, including his vehicle (1965 El Camino) and connections to Bonnie Vernon and Lorraine Norma Vernon.  

The documents also include aviation records from May 1–3, 1968, noting no individuals using names associated with James Earl Ray were found to have rented cars or purchased tickets to Hawaii from Los Angeles. Aviation records mention a Cessna Skymaster piloted by an individual described as white male, approximately 5'10" tall, with dark hair and glasses, who fueled the plane on March 19, 1968, and later interacted with Federal Aviation Agency personnel in Blythe, California. The pilot’s appearance was compared to photographs of James Earl Ray, but no definitive match was confirmed.  

Key People  
- Haron J. Thomes (credit card discrepancy)  
- Marie Condon (hitchhiker description)  
- Willis King (club sightings of Eric Stavo Galt)  
- Roy Barnett (James Earl Ray photo identification)  
- Nellie Webster (suspect profile and garage user)  
- Fred Murphy (Richard O'Connor hotel interactions)  
- William Gardner (Hotel Ambassador credit card and guest records)  
- Michael Smith (Eric Stavo Galt sighting)  
- Jack Irvin, Joseph McCarthy (Dennis Guthrie hotel stay)  
- Eddie Mc Knight (Huntington Hotel housekeeper)  
- Richard K. Padillie (hotel bellman)  
- Robert Kelley (St. Francis Hotel clerk)  
- Jack Krupp (liquor store owner)  
- Allen Fox (pharmacist)  
- Angelhardt (observer at Rocket Bowl)  
- Eric Leroy Casey (individual interviewed about MLK assassination)  
- Hayes Palmer PuFahl (associate of Casey)  
- La Verne Ernest Lohmeyer (hotel employee, travel companion to Kansas)  
- Lee Pink (Los Angeles Farmers Market sighting)  
- JAY VERNON (subject of multiple interviews; described as residing in California, associated with a 1962 Ford Van and alleged connections to Bonnie Vernon)  
- Mrs. Louise Richardson (neighbors to JAY VERNON’s former residence)  
- Frank Dawson (U.S. Recovery Agency employee who interacted with JEROME VERMON regarding repossession of a van)  
- Robert Nichols, Joan Keep (United Airlines personnel who observed an individual resembling Ray attempting to purchase tickets using Frontier Airlines credentials linked to Ray)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California (credit card investigations, hotels)  
- Hollywood Bowl, Highland Avenue (hitchhiker pickup)  
- Santa Monica Boulevard (hitchhiker encounter)  
- Irolo Street, San Marino Street (garage user)  
- Hotel Ambassador, 3400 Wilshire Boulevard (O'Connor and Guthrie stays)  
- Huntington Hotel, 752 South Main Street (Guthrie stay)  
- St. Francis Hotel, Los Angeles, California  
- Light Horse Liquor Store, North Hollywood, California  
- Morley’s Drugstore, Beverly Hills, California  
- Rocket Bowl, Canoga Park, California  
- Trona, California (prospecting area)  
- Death Valley, California  
- Los Angeles Farmers Market (3rd and Fairfax)  
- Glendale City Hall and Mountain View Estates, California  
- Los Angeles International Airport  
- Blythe, California (aviation-related sightings and fueling activity involving the Cessna Skymaster)  
- Hawaii (destination referenced in ticket purchase investigations)  

Key Events  
- Credit card discrepancies linked to Haron J. Thomes and Richard O'Connor  
- Hitchhiker sightings and descriptions matching James Earl Ray’s profile  
- Hotel guest records for Richard O'Connor and Dennis Guthrie, including unpaid bills and luggage  
- FBI efforts to identify suspects through hotel staff and credit card data  
- Discrepancies in suspect appearances over time (e.g., dark glasses vs. later sightings)  
- Interview of Eddie Mc Knight regarding Room 447 occupant’s room cleaning request  
- Richard K. Padillie’s description of a man in Room 147 with specific physical traits  
- Russell Johnson’s stay at St. Francis Hotel and phone usage  
- Jack Krupp’s observation of an individual resembling Eric Starvo Galt  
- Angelhardt’s sighting of someone resembling James Barry and car plate EZR 721  
- Eric Leroy Casey’s denial of involvement in MLK assassination and his whereabouts  
- Hayes Palmer PuFahl’s confirmation of Casey’s presence since January 1968  
- La Verne Ernest Lohmeyer’s travel with Louis S. Martin to Kansas  
- Lee Pink reported a man resembling James Earl Ray at Los Angeles Farmers Market; FBI interviewed witnesses to confirm details  
- April–May 1968: FBI documented interactions with JAY VERNON, including his alleged possession of a 1962 Ford Van and movements in California  
- May 3–6, 1968: United Airlines personnel (Robert Nichols, Joan Keep) observed an individual resembling Ray attempting to purchase tickets to Hawaii using Frontier Airlines credentials linked to Ray  
- May 1–3, 1968: FBI checked Hertz Rent-A-Car records for car rentals under names linked to James Earl Ray; no matches found  
- March 19, 1968: A Cessna Skymaster was fueled at Kal Craft Aviation in Blythe, California, by Frank and Nettie Cope. The pilot interacted with Federal Aviation Agency personnel and described as a white male with dark hair and glasses  
- May 14–17, 1968: FBI reviewed aviation records and compared the pilot’s appearance to photographs of James Earl Ray; no definitive match was confirmed  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Shell Oil Company (credit card records)  
- Valley Brass Company (Willis King’s employment)  
- Hotel Ambassador, Huntington Hotel (hotel staff and guest records)  
- Illinois oil company (credit card linkage to Richard O'Connor)  
- Hertz Rent-A-Car (Los Angeles International Airport)  
- Pan American Airlines (PAA)  
- Federal Aviation Agency  
- Kal Craft Aviation (Blythe, California)  
- United Airlines  
- U.S. Recovery Agency

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_008-01-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search