</s>DO NOT DESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE HISTorical Archives (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FIL (MATEAL MUST NOT DE REMOVEO FROM OR ADDED TO THE FILM) DO NOT RESTROY FENDING LITIGATION FEDERAL BUREAU FIELD OFFICE FILE FOIPA PROCESSED of 109501 spi.custyf INVESTIGATION Volume Number: Serials: 0.0-0.0 0-0-1-88 Bureau File Number 4/4-3/4/6/6 Bureau file Number 4-4/4.3/8/6) See also Nos. /CC destroyed per SAC Startzell 6-6.6-71 (a) SEE.YOL 1 FOR LITigATIONS See Next Section 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and sightings in 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. On April 22, 1968, a Pan American Airlines flight from Miami to São Paulo included passengers described as matching Ray’s physical traits. A man identified as Dennis Holt, owner of Holt Motors in Clearwater, Florida, was observed traveling with two preachers, one of whom resembled Ray. Reports noted inconsistencies in Holt’s statements and his potential connection to South America. Subsequent teletypes mention sightings of Ray in California, Illinois, Maryland, and Georgia, including a man matching Ray’s description on a flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco, carrying a blue fabric case. Investigations also tracked Ray’s probation records, family members, and associates, with warnings that he was armed and dangerous.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK Jr.)  
- Dennis Holt (identified as possibly connected to Ray)  
- Mrs. Harold L. Cleland (reported sighting of a man resembling Ray on a flight)  
- Roy James (former member associated with MLK’s assassination investigation)  
- Jerry Raynes (Ray’s father, listed in probation records)  
- Lucille Ray (Ray’s mother, listed in probation records)  

Key Locations:  
- Miami, Florida (origin of Pan American Airlines flight)  
- São Paulo, Brazil (destination of flight; Ray’s alleged travel destination)  
- Clearwater, Florida (Holt’s residence)  
- Los Angeles, California (flight from to San Francisco)  
- Normal, Illinois (sighting reported by Mrs. Thompson)  
- Richmond, Virginia (FBI coordination on Ray sightings)  
- Savannah, Georgia (reported hitchhiking activity)  

Key Events:  
- April 18, 1968: Pan American Airlines flight from Miami to São Paulo included passengers matching Ray’s description.  
- April 20, 1968: Mrs. Cleland reported a man resembling Ray on a flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco.  
- April 22, 1968: FBI alerted about Dennis Holt in Clearwater, Florida, and his potential connection to South America.  
- April 23, 1968: Reports of Ray’s sightings in Illinois, Maryland, and Georgia; mention of his probation records and family ties.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – central to the investigation and coordination across regional offices.  
- U.S. Department of Justice – referenced via FBI directives (e.g., E.O. 14176 for document release).  
- Local law enforcement agencies (e.g., Memphis, Chicago, Sacramento) – involved in tracking Ray’s movements and verifying sightings.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_63-04-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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