</s>FD. 245 (REV. 4.7.60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) DOWNT PYT.P.T.C.O. FEDERAL BUREAU Letters and Airtels - Only QUALIFICATION NO. 2778 3/8-87-8/87-88-87/87/88-89-88/87 FEDERIAL BUREAUNGATION FIELD OFFICE FILE FOIPA PROCESSED FEDERA BUREAEU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL of DECLASSIFICATION KILL INFORMATION CONFAMED DECLASIFICATION OF KILL IS UCHASSISTED 0.17-20-20.01 SPICK/100 INVESTIGATION Series: Volume: Bureau File Number 4N-4N-38861 DO NOT DESTROY. NATIONAL MACHIVES" JE. 700-00-00 See also Nos. 100 destroyed per SAC Stortgell 8-25 5-7-71-11 eh SEE VOL 1 FOR LITIGATIONS See Next Section 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on **James Earl Ray** as a primary suspect. Ray is described as a fugitive with a history of robbery, fraud, and other crimes, including an alleged assault on a postal worker in 1967. The FBI compiled records tracking his movements, noting his presence in **Memphis, Tennessee**, and **New Orleans, Louisiana**, around the time of the assassination (April 4–5, 1968). The files reference FBI Case No. 405,942, which includes photographs of Ray from 1960 and 1968, along with physical descriptions (e.g., blue eyes, height between 5'7"–5'10", weight 163–174 lbs). Alternative names linked to Ray, such as **Harvey Lowmeyer** and **C. Herman**, are mentioned but not directly tied to the assassination. The documents also reference broader conspiracies involving civil rights activists, though no direct evidence connects these to King’s murder. Some sections contain OCR errors, garbled phrases (e.g., "MURKEN," "BIRTHINGHAM"), or incomplete records, limiting clarity on certain details.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Primary suspect in MLK’s assassination; described as a fugitive with a criminal history of robbery, fraud, and assault.  
- **Harvey Lowmeyer** and **C. Herman**: Alternative names linked to Ray but not directly tied to the assassination.  
- **FBI Agents**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s movements, including checks on driving records, dance schools, and bar associations.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Noted as a key location for Ray’s alleged presence around the time of MLK’s assassination.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned in connection to Ray’s movements.  
- **Louisiana Department of Public Safety** and **Mississippi Motor Vehicle Division**: Referenced in FBI investigative efforts.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigations into Ray’s criminal history and movements prior to MLK’s assassination.  
- Compilation of records on Ray’s alleged activities, including interstate flight and conspiracy to interfere with civil rights activities.  
- Designation of Ray as a "dangerous fugitive" due to his criminal record and alleged violent tendencies.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Conducted the primary investigation into MLK’s assassination, compiling files on Ray and other suspects.  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Mentioned in relation to Ray’s 1967 assault charge.  
- **State Motor Vehicle Departments** (Louisiana, Mississippi): Involved in verifying Ray’s movements through driving records.  

Note: The documents contain unclear or corrupted sections, including garbled text and incomplete records, which limit full interpretation of certain details.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_70-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

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