</s>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CLASSIFICATION NO. FEDERAL BUREAU 44-8867 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED OF FOC DRICAL DECLASSIFICATION INVESTIGATION DECLASIFICATION Bureau File Number 44-38861 Do not Retray Rendling Rigidatior 2-778 3/5/5 ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE/US/4/BY23/23/22/22. Aug/10/20/4 FIELD OFFICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE FILES Volume Number Volume Number "DO NOT DESTRON: FOIPA REQUEST HISTORICAL VALUE. HISTorical ARCHIVES Do Not Destroy Prior to (190-ME-S33/13) (190 -ME- S33/12) FOIPA RECQUEST Do Not Destroyer Prior to (90-ME -S1602) See also No. 1A See also Nos. 1/4 Sub C-newspaper clipping Cleared Hesto 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI administrative records, investigative interviews, and evidence retention policies related to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). They reference physical evidence stored in the Memphis Field Office’s Evidence Control Room, including telephone bills, fingerprint comparison charts, medical certificates from Wadsworth Prison, Delta Airlines records, aerial photographs of crime scenes, soil samples, and items linked to James Earl Ray’s extradition proceedings. A 1993 interview with James Fallon discusses his claims about a reward for killing MLK, referencing a 1968 event and connections to Minerals and Chemicals Philippe (MCP) in New Jersey. FBI records from 1993 also include interviews with James J. Fallon, who described discussions involving Lee Hansen, Terrill Johnson, Richard Radford, and others about a $10,000 payment for MLK’s murder. These individuals were alleged to be part of a conspiracy, though no direct involvement in the assassination was confirmed. Anonymous claims and inmate testimonies from Tom Dester Pugh and Frank Elliott (inmate #42954) allege broader conspiracies involving organized crime groups like the “little dixie mafia,” murders, bombings, and connections to figures such as Harold Wesley Bradford, Frank Liberto, Kirksey Nix Jr., Jerry James, and Pat Wrigley. The FBI concluded that no new evidence implicated individuals beyond Ray, and investigations were not reopened due to lack of corroborating information. Some documents contain illegible or inconsistent text, including unclear references to dates, names, and events.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Primary suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in extradition proceedings and evidence retention records.  
- **James Fallon**: Provided 1993 interview details about a reward for killing MLK and connections to MCP.  
- **Lee Hansen**: Aligned with MCP and discussed payment for MLK’s murder in 1993 interviews.  
- **Terrill Johnson** and **Richard Radford**: Mentioned in conspiracy discussions involving a $10,000 payment for MLK’s assassination.  
- **Harold Wesley Bradford** and **Frank Liberto**: Named in anonymous claims of involvement in conspiracies.  
- **Tom Dester Pugh**: Inmate who alleged conspiracies, murders, and connections to organized crime groups.  
- **Frank Elliott (inmate #42954)**: Claimed knowledge of a larger conspiracy involving Ray, Tom Pugh, Pat Urley, and others; sought protection and release from prison.  
- **Kirksey Nix Jr., Jerry James, Pat Wrigley**: Allocated to criminal activities or conspiracies linked to MLK’s assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to FBI investigations, Evidence Control Room, and Delta Airlines records.  
- **New Jersey**: MCP operations referenced in Fallon’s 1993 interview.  
- **Oklahoma State Penitentiary**: Site of inmate testimonies from Tom Dester Pugh and others.  
- **New Mexico State Penitentiary**: Where Frank Elliott was incarcerated; transferred due to an eyewitness account of a murder.  
- **Chelsea Road, Memphis**: Fire station mentioned in anonymous claims.  
- **Raleigh, TN**: Address linked to Frank Liberto.  

Key Events  
- Retention of physical evidence (telephone bills, fingerprints, soil samples) related to MLK’s assassination investigation (1968–1993).  
- 1993 interview with James Fallon about a reward for killing MLK and MCP connections.  
- Discussions involving Lee Hansen, Terrill Johnson, and Richard Radford about a $10,000 payment for MLK’s murder.  
- Anonymous claims against Harold Wesley Bradford and others; inmate testimonies from Tom Dester Pugh alleging conspiracies, murders, and organized crime ties.  
- FBI determination that no new evidence implicated individuals beyond James Earl Ray, leading to closure of investigations.  
- Frank Elliott’s attempts to inform officials about a conspiracy, resulting in his transfer to New Mexico State Penitentiary.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations, interviews, and evidence retention efforts.  
- **Memphis Division FBI Office**: Central to evidence management and case reviews.  
- **Oklahoma State Penitentiary**: Site of inmate testimonies and alleged conspiracies.  
- **Minerals and Chemicals Philippe (MCP)**: Mentioned in connections to James Fallon and Lee Hansen.  
- **“Little Dixie Mafia”**: Alleged organized crime group linked to conspiracies involving MLK’s assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_64-03-part_1_of_4.pdf

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