</s>Memorandum To : SAC, MEMPHIS (44-1987) (C) Date 2/18/93 From : SA Subject: JAMES EARL RAY: MARTIN LUTHER KING - VICTIM; CR MEMPHIS 00: MEMPHIPS 2/10/93. On 2/1/1993, SSA on 2/11/93, SSA advised he had been contacted on 2/10 /93 by WARREN YOUNG, SHELLEY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, Memphis, who had provided the following information to him: During the recent filming at Memphis at the HBO mock trial of JAMES EARLY RAY, she recently filed filed at Memphis of the HBO mock Investigation JAMES EARL RAV, recently County District Attorney's investigation of JIM SMITH, the sheriff testified that he was employed as an officer of the FBI. He testified that in 1968 he was at about the time of Dr. KING's assassination, he assigned to pick up a Federal Agent named COOP. He testedified COOP was sent methods to the MPD. He also testified that at the Time of pick up the Federal Agent had coop. He was sent methods of the MPD. He said that he also testified at that time of Dr. KING'S' assassination, there's a van containing Federal No. King's assassination. There's also tested room. This information had Illegale wiretap of Dr.'s former U.S. Attorney for the Western District been received from the Attorney for this information had the HBO film. requested. SSA requested. SAA. Attorney of the Western District the HBO Film. and coordinate with YOUNG an interview of EWING and other pertinent individuals involved to verify the testimony of SMITH. On 2 /1/93/93; WARRENN YOUNG was contacted and advised he had already spoken by telephone with EWING to have recorded their conversation. YOUNG played the tape of that conversation wherein EWING related that SMITH testified that prior to the EWING relating to the SMITH was not prior to intelligence officer by the name of COOP were staying at the Ambassador Hotel on South Main Street, Memphis. COOP WAS a consultant brought to JRF.T.m JRM.Tm MARCHED INOREDED FRP.J.P. 23.5 FRP-1/9/93 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The declassified documents detail multiple FBI investigations into allegations of federal surveillance related to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968. Central figures include James Earl Ray, convicted of King’s murder, and James Ward Smith, a former Shelby County District Attorney’s Office investigator who testified about alleged FBI involvement. Smith claimed he was trained by an FBI agent named "Coop" in surveillance techniques and that two individuals monitoring Dr. King’s motel room were federal agents. These claims were scrutinized during a 1993 FBI investigation, which concluded no evidence supported the allegations. Smith later recanted his testimony, attributing his identification of the individuals to confusion caused by cameras and lights during a mock trial. The documents also reference James W. Smith, a former Memphis Police Department officer who described surveillance operations during civil rights protests and training sessions with FBI instructors at the Armour Center. A newspaper clipping from *The Commercial Appeal* (Memphis, TN) mentions allegations of U.S. Army espionage against King’s family during the Vietnam War era. Additionally, documents reference USAI domestic surveillance activities targeting civil rights leaders, including Dr. King, during the 1960s, with operations linked to Fort Holabird, Maryland. The FBI’s 1993–1995 communications regarding Ray’s trial include testimony by James W. Smith in an HBO mock trial and references to a figure named "RAOUL" claimed by Ray as part of his conspiracy. A 1993 article incorrectly states Rep. John R. Lewis (D-AL) met King during the Civil War, which is historically inconsistent with King’s birth year (1929).  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  
- **James Ward Smith**: Former Shelby County District Attorney’s Office investigator who testified about alleged FBI surveillance; also a former Memphis Police Department officer involved in civil rights protests.  
- **Warren Young**: Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office official involved in the 1993 investigation.  
- **Eli Arkin**: Retired Memphis Police Department intelligence officer questioned about potential involvement.  
- **J. Edgar Hoover (implied)**: FBI director referenced in discussions about surveillance and investigations.  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Civil rights leader central to the assassination investigation.  
- **Rep. John R. Lewis (D-AL)**: Mentioned in a 1993 newspaper article about MLK’s military service, though historically inconsistent.  
- **"RAOUL"**: Nebulous figure referenced by Ray as part of his alleged conspiracy.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination, the Lorraine Motel (where he was shot), and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.  
- **Lorraine Motel**: Reference to surveillance activities near this location.  
- **Rivermont Hotel**: Mentioned in discussions about Dr. King’s whereabouts.  
- **Armour Center**: Training facility where James W. Smith participated in riot control tactics with FBI instructors.  
- **Fort Holabird, Maryland**: Centralized location for USAI domestic surveillance operations.  

Key Events:  
- **Mock Trial of James Earl Ray (1993)**: Filmed in Memphis, involving James Ward Smith as a witness and coordinator of records review.  
- **Surveillance Operations on Dr. King (1968)**: Conducted by Memphis Police Department and FBI during civil rights protests, including monitoring King’s activities and coordinating with law enforcement units.  
- **FBI Investigation (1993–1995)**: Verification efforts to assess credibility of James Ward Smith’s allegations of federal surveillance; concluded no evidence supported his claims.  
- **Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike (1968)**: Dr. King marched in support of striking workers, leading to violent clashes weeks before his assassination.  
- **USA Intelligence Surveillance (1960s)**: Coordinated domestic spying on civil rights leaders, including covert operations to track meetings and communications.  
- **1993 Newspaper Article**: *The Commercial Appeal* (Memphis, TN) discusses MLK’s military service and allegations of U.S. Army espionage against his family during the Vietnam War era.  
- **Shelby County DA’s Office Statement (1995)**: Discredited claims about "RAOUL" as part of Ray’s conspiracy.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted 1993–1995 investigations into James Earl Ray’s trial and allegations of surveillance; referenced in training sessions with Memphis Police Department officers.  
- **Memphis Police Department (MPD)**: Involved in surveillance operations, crowd control during protests, and coordination with FBI for security.  
- **U.S. Army Intelligence (USAI)**: Conducted domestic surveillance on civil rights leaders, including Dr. King, during the 1960s; linked to Fort Holabird, Maryland.  
- **Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)**: Mentioned in documents as an organization associated with civil rights activism and surveilled by USAI.  
- **Shelby County District Attorney’s Office**: Collaborated with the FBI on records review during the mock trial of James Earl Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_64-03-part_3_of_4.pdf

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