</s>BH 44-1740 JTA:scb/egp 1 QUINTON B. DAVIS, 912 Ann Street, Birmingham, Alabama, owner of the Gun Rack, 1507 31st Street, S.W ., Birmingham, Alabama, Viewed the following photographs: John OSCAR LUCK, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office #102955, Birmingham. Alabama, photograph taken April 21, 1962; ROBERT CROSS, Birmingham FBI #91-1803; CHARLES NEWMANNT GAULT, true Birmingham FBI FBI (26-22408; ERIC STANVO GALT, true name JAMES EARL RAY; THOMAS FRANKLIN BRADY, Birmingham FBI #26-24408; ERNEST GEORGE BLAND, BirminghamFBI #44-17 40; JAMES ROBERT LUKE, Atlanta Police Department #251309, photographer taken October 20, 1967. JAMES RODERT LURE, Atlanta police department on April 18, 1968, that he could not make a positive statement as to whether he could be found not a positive individual was identical to the photograph of any of the individual who had been in The Gun Rack making inquiry regarding the high- powered rifle and had specifically made inquiry regarding a Model 264 Browning automatic rifle. 5 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 (1965–1967) and subsequent movements following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Key elements include Ray’s alleged involvement in prison lotteries, membership in the Cooley's Organization, and interactions with inmates discussing potential methods to generate income, including references to a $100,000 reward for killing MLK. Post-release, Ray was linked to Birmingham, Alabama, through connections to Eric Galt, a tenant at an Economy Rooming House (1967–1968). FBI efforts focused on tracking Ray’s movements via transportation networks, safe deposit boxes, laundries, car rentals, and parole records, though no conclusive evidence directly linking him to the assassination was found. The investigation also examined witness accounts of firearm purchases, prison conversations about assassination plans, and bank draft transactions tied to Ray’s alias, Eric Stavro Galt.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary (1965–1967); described as quiet, solitary, involved in prison lotteries and the Cooley's Organization; later identified as Eric Stavro Galt.  
- **Eric Stavro Galt** (later identified as James Earl Ray): Suspect linked to firearm purchases, alleged threats against MLK, and connections to Birmingham, Alabama.  
- **Quinton B. Davis**: Owner of Gun Rack in Birmingham, Alabama; viewed photographs of suspects.  
- **John Michael Kopp**: Manager at Long Lewis Hardware Store in Birmingham; identified individuals but could not confirm a customer’s identity.  
- **William David Paisley**: Witness who described Eric Stavro Galt and his connection to purchasing a 1966 Mustang.  
- **James W. Brown**: Former inmate in Missouri State Penitentiary who claimed Ray discussed plans to kill MLK upon release.  
- **Cooley's Organization**: Prison-based group with alleged ties to contraband, violence, and protection rackets; Ray was reportedly a member.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration (1965–1967); housed multiple halls (e.g., J Hall) and operated lotteries.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Central location for gun stores, witness interviews, and connections to Ray’s alleged movements post-release; associated with Economy Rooming House.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned in connection with dance studios and potential suspect links.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Linked to laundry operations (mark 20-R-3) during the investigation.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Investigated for license plate connections to a Chevrolet owned by EDGAR FLOYD BORDEN.  
- **San Angelo, Texas**: Mentioned in movement tracking of EDGAR FLOYD BORDEN.  

Key Events  
- **Firearm Purchases**: Eric Stavro Galt (Ray) allegedly purchased a Model 264 Browning automatic rifle from Gun Rack and Long Lewis Hardware Store in Birmingham.  
- **Prison Conversations**: James W. Brown reported Ray discussed plans to kill MLK, referencing a $100,000 reward for the assassination.  
- **Bank Draft Transactions**: Eric Stavro Galt (Ray) purchased a bank draft from Exchange Security Bank in 1967.  
- **FBI Investigations**: Conducted checks on transportation networks, safe deposit boxes, laundries, car rentals, and parole records to locate Ray post-release; examined 24,380 safe deposit boxes in Birmingham banks for entries on April 5, 1968.  
- **Witness Accounts**: Quinton B. Davis, John Michael Kopp, William David Paisley, and James W. Brown provided photographic identifications and descriptions of suspects.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, reviewed records, tracked suspects, and coordinated with multiple agencies.  
- **Exchange Security Bank**: Provided details on bank draft transactions linked to Eric Stavro Galt.  
- **Continental Dance Studios**: Mentioned in connection with potential suspect links via dance lessons.  
- **Alabama State Parole and Probation Office**: Checked parole records for Ray’s movements post-release.  
- **National Crime Information Center (NCIC)**: Used for criminal record checks during investigations.  
- **Computa-Date Corporation, Electra-On Corporation**: Birmingham-based entities involved in computerized data checks for suspect profiles.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_009-02-part_9_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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