</s>F.D. 2.5" (REV. 4:13-60) H. S. Leapartment of Justice DANOT DESTROYE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED HISTORICAL VALUE CALIFORNIA VIA. ANATIONAL ARCHIVES ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED DO NOT DES ROY FOR HISTORICIAL PENDING LIUITATION DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU (2778,78) (85) FIELD OFFICE FILI ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED FIELD OFFICES FILL OF FOIPA PROCESSED HEREIN 10/25/01/19/01 SP.1.Cucifft INVESTIGATION Volume Number: Series: Bureau File Number: 4x- 38/61 "DO NOT DETROY: HISTOKIGAL VAJE. NATIONAL ARGHIVES" 6 See also Nos./1/C destroyed per SAC. Starzgell See YOL 1 FOR LITIGATIONS See Next Section 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential associates of James Earl Ray, a suspect in the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Ray’s imprisonment at Joliet State Penitentiary (Illinois) from February 10, 1952, to May 9, 1962, is noted, along with his later employment at Missouri State Penitentiary. The FBI examines connections between Ray and Louis Lomax, a former inmate, suggesting possible familiarity. Investigations also focus on Charles and Rita Stein of Los Angeles, linked to drug activities, and William Jay Golesby of Memphis, whose movements and associations are scrutinized. Cecil Clayton Lillisbridge, incarcerated in Missouri, is mentioned as a cellmate of Ray and provides details about his alleged smuggling operations in Mexico. The FBI tracks potential associates, including individuals with ties to drug trafficking, firearms, and prior criminal records, while monitoring locations such as Memphis, Los Angeles, and Chicago.  

The document contains multiple telephonic reports from U.S. federal agencies detailing investigations into individuals linked to potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key figures include Eric S. Galt, who ordered photographic equipment including a Kodak Dual Projector M & N95-2 from Superior Bulk Film Co., Chicago, and was allegedly in Mexico City on April 23–25, 1968, as per anonymous letters. The FBI sought to verify Galt’s movements and the projector’s serial number, noting it may have been in his possession mid-December 1968. A stolen Cadillac Deville (VIN F71112795) was tracked from Atlanta Airport (November 13, 1967), reported stolen in Montreal, Canada (August 21, 1968), and later registered to Michael St. Pierre in Miami. Investigations linked the car to James Earl Ray, with connections to a "Door Lounge" in Miami and potential ties to drug trafficking. Charles Stepp and James Early Ray’s travel from California to New Orleans was noted, alongside inquiries into toll records. Memphis PD received a call from Mrs. Lucas E. Birt about a reward for information on MLK-related matters, though she could not provide details due to company presence. William Howard Jamison in Kansas City was identified as a conspiracy suspect with ties to Ray, mentioning plans to retire to Mexico and hide out in Campeche, Yucatan. James Earl Ray’s Navy records (JACKSONVILLE, FL) were checked for potential links, while safety deposit boxes and airline checks yielded no significant results. Paul Alvin Lail, Jr., a former inmate connected to Ray, described drug use and alleged statements by Ray about killing MLK.  

The document contains FBI records related to investigations into phone calls made by James Earl Ray during his travels from Los Angeles to New Orleans in 1967. It details long-distance calls from payphones in Texas, Arizona, and other states, including specific dates, locations, and toll numbers associated with these calls. References include the St. Francis Hotel in Hollywood, California, where Ray resided from November 1966 to March 1967. The FBI requested reviews of telephone records from Southern Bell, Western States Telephone Company, and other providers to trace connections to Ray. Social Security Number [SSN REDACTED] is mentioned in the context of Paul Arthur Lail Jr., a subject of an unrelated file.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; imprisoned at Joliet State Penitentiary (1952–1962), later employed at Missouri State Penitentiary; linked to stolen Cadillac Deville, potential drug trafficking ties, and alleged statements about killing MLK.  
- **Louis Lomax**: Former inmate of Joliet; investigated for potential connections to Ray’s activities.  
- **Charles Stein**: Linked to drug-related activities in Los Angeles; interviewed regarding alleged ties to illicit drug trafficking.  
- **Rita Stein**: Mother of Charles Stein; reported visits to her son’s residence prior to MLK’s assassination.  
- **William Jay Golesby**: Memphis resident with no arrest record, investigated for potential associations with Ray or other suspects.  
- **Cecil Clayton Lillisbridge**: Incarcerated in Missouri; cellmate of Ray; provided details about Ray’s alleged smuggling operations and travels to Mexico.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Ordered photographic equipment, including a Kodak Dual Projector M & N95-2, and was allegedly in Mexico City on April 23–25, 1968.  
- **William Howard Jamison**: Suspected conspirator in Kansas City with ties to Ray, mentioning plans to retire to Mexico.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail, Jr.**: Former inmate connected to Ray, described drug use and alleged statements by Ray about MLK.  
- **Mrs. Lucas E. Birt**: Provided information on a reward for MLK-related matters but could not detail due to company presence.  
- **Paul Arthur Lail, Jr.**: Individual referenced in separate file; Social Security Number [SSN REDACTED].  

Key Locations  
- **Joliet State Penitentiary (Illinois)**: Site of Ray’s imprisonment (1952–1962) and Lomax’s prior incarceration.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Home to Charles and Rita Stein; St. Francis Hotel where Ray resided (November 1966–March 1967).  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Focus of FBI inquiries into Golesby and other suspects; location of Memphis PD’s call about MLK-related reward.  
- **Mexico City, Mexico**: Alleged location of Eric S. Galt’s movements (April 23–25, 1968).  
- **Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico**: Mentioned as a potential hideout by William Howard Jamison.  
- **Atlanta Airport (November 13, 1967)**: Location where the stolen Cadillac Deville was found.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Site of the Cadillac’s reported theft (August 21, 1968).  
- **Miami, Florida**: Registration location for the Cadillac Deville linked to Michael St. Pierre.  
- **Texas (San Antonio, Lubbock, Terrell County)**: Locations tied to long-distance call records from payphones.  
- **Arizona (Holbrook)**: Mentioned in context of Ray’s travel and toll records.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Reference in telephone record reviews.  
- **Redwood City, California**: Location included in toll number analysis.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s imprisonment at Joliet State Penitentiary**: 1952–1962; later employed at Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **Investigation into Charles Stein’s drug activities**: Includes neighbor reports of a white Mustang parked near his residence and ties to illicit drug trafficking.  
- **Lillisbridge’s testimony about Ray’s smuggling operations**: Details Ray’s alleged smuggling of goods via Mexico, including firearms and narcotics.  
- **Golesby’s scrutiny**: Focus on his movements, employment history, and potential connections to Ray or other suspects.  
- **FBI monitoring of long-distance calls**: Directed at tracking communications during December 1967–January 1968, linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Investigation into Eric S. Galt’s movements**: FBI sought verification of his alleged presence in Mexico City and the projector’s serial number.  
- **Tracking stolen Cadillac Deville**: Linked to James Earl Ray, with connections to Miami’s "Door Lounge" and drug trafficking.  
- **Inquiries into toll records**: For Jerry Ray and John Ray, as part of efforts to locate Carol Pepper.  
- **Conspiracy suspect William Howard Jamison**: Identified in Kansas City with ties to Ray and plans to retire to Mexico.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail, Jr.’s testimony**: Described drug use by James Earl Ray and alleged statements about killing MLK.  
- **FBI investigation into phone calls made by James Earl Ray during his 1967 travels**: Requested reviews of telephone records from Southern Bell, Western States Telephone Company, and other providers to trace connections to Ray.  
- **Collection of telephone records for analysis of potential connections to Ray**: Included toll numbers associated with the St. Francis Hotel in Los Angeles.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray, Lomax, Stein, Golesby, Lillisbridge, Galt, Jamison, and Lail; monitored telecommunications and financial records.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies**: Collaborated with FBI on drug trafficking inquiries, including Los Angeles Police Department and Missouri state authorities.  
- **Southern Bell Telephone Co.**: Requested to review telephone records for analysis of potential connections to Ray.  
- **Western States Telephone Company**: Involved in reviewing long-distance call records from payphones in Texas and Arizona.  
- **Memphis Police Department (MPD)**: Received calls about rewards for MLK-related information.  
- **U.S. Navy**: Checked records for James Earl Ray’s service in Jacksonville, Florida.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_63a-04-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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