</s>FD-248 (NEV. 4:13-60) H. S. Leapartment nf Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) herters and Airtels - Only CLASSIFICATION TO. FIELD OFFICE FILE FOLIPA PROCESSED FEDERAL BUREAU Do not Retray FEDERAL BUREAU Funding Sligation EntIRE FILE REVIEWED Sudial 4199 2300/12/32 FOR HIS/RICAL of 2300 /3/83-camel 3/5 DECLASSIFICATION - Only INVESTIGATION - - - - Volume Number Bureau File Number NH-38861/ Bureaun File Number NN-388/1 "DO NOT DESTROY: Volume Number HIS VALUE" NATIONAL ACHIVES" See also Nos. ICC destroyed per SAC Destroyed SAC Startzell 5-7-71 EUA SEE VOL 1 FOR LITIGATIONS DO NOT DESTIROY HISTORICAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES See Next Section 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and related individuals during 1965-1968. Key figures include BILLY JOE FAULKNER, JERRY NED MILLER, SUE KELLY, WALTER PRICE, and GEORGE E. LAMB. Interviews with these individuals occurred in Dallas, Memphis, Atlanta, and North Carolina. The FBI sought information about threats against MLK, particularly referencing a 1965 incident involving JACK RAY (later identified as JAMES EARL RAY). FAULKNER and MILLER were interviewed regarding their associations with RAY and potential involvement in plots. LAMB was questioned about his interactions with RAY, who allegedly discussed plans to harm MLK. The documents note that RAY claimed he would "bust KING wide open" but no direct evidence of conspiracy or involvement in MLK's assassination is provided.  

The FBI also conducted nationwide efforts to locate JACK MAYARD RAY, a suspect linked to the assassination of MLK. In Durham, North Carolina, authorities confirmed RAY had no known affiliations with the Ku Klux Klan or the Durham County Citizens Council. Investigations revealed he had previously resided at 1841 Vale Street and was last seen in Durham over a year prior to 1968. Susie Whitt, his sister, reported RAY had left Durham without notice in 1965, stating he would not return. The FBI noted RAY’s history of alcoholism and erratic behavior, with records indicating he was hospitalized in 1965.  

In Charlotte, North Carolina, police records showed RAY had lived at 1915 Thomas Avenue and 1919 Thomas Avenue, worked at Renfrow Distributing Company, and was last seen four years before 1968. His wife, MAE RAY, was reported to reside in Charlotte but had divorced him approximately two years prior. The FBI also checked hospital records for RAY’s medical history, finding no confirmed entries despite his alleged stays at Wilmington Hospital.  

The FBI expanded its search to New Orleans, Louisiana, where they reviewed motel registrations for individuals matching descriptions of RAY or ERIC GALT, an alias he used. The Provincial Motel in New Orleans listed several guests between December 17–19, 1967, including entries for GALT and STEIN, who were associated with RAY’s movements. The FBI requested interviews with these individuals to confirm connections.  

Additional documents from May 1968 include FBI airtel messages detailing investigative procedures and evidence analysis related to MLK’s assassination. These reference fingerprint comparisons, serial numbers of textile machinery (e.g., Thermo-Seal Textile Manufacturing Machines with serial numbers 32146, 32151, 31992, 3199, 3140, 3147, 3133, and 3165), and case management directives. Analysis of latent fingerprints on a matchbook and rental agreement found no matches to James Earl Ray’s prints (FBI 4089843G). Instructions were issued for field offices (e.g., Atlanta, Birmingham, Los Angeles) to submit investigation results in report form, with Memphis designated as the case origin. A letter sent to "Editor, Citizens News" and an envelope bearing a fingerprint not matching Ray’s or other known prints were also referenced.  

Key People  
- **BILLY JOE FAULKNER**: Interviewed in Dallas, Texas (April 1968), described as an electrician with ties to Graceville, Florida, and Midland City, Alabama.  
- **JERRY NED MILLER**: Resided in Dallas with FAULKNER; stated he had no knowledge of MLK’s assassination or threats against him.  
- **SUE KELLY**: Waitress in Dallas; lived with FAULKNER and described his alleged homosexual relationships.  
- **GEORGE E. LAMB**: Durham, North Carolina resident interviewed in 1968; previously involved in 1965 interactions with JACK RAY (JAMES EARL RAY) regarding threats against MLK.  
- **JAMES EARL RAY**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in 1965 conversations with LAMB and others, though no direct evidence of involvement is provided.  
- **SUSIE WHITT**: RAY’s sister, who provided information about his departure from Durham in 1965.  
- **MAE RAY**: RAY’s ex-wife, last known to reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.  
- **RUFUS RAY**: Confirmed as a separate individual in Montgomery, Alabama, unrelated to the investigation.  

Key Locations  
- **Dallas, Texas**: Central to interviews involving FAULKNER, MILLER, and KELLY.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Mentioned as a federal bureau location; SAC (Special Agent in Charge) involved in investigations.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Reference to 107th Street NE as a potential address linked to RAY’s activities.  
- **Durham, North Carolina**: Site of 1965 interactions between LAMB and RAY.  
- **Charlotte, North Carolina**: RAY’s last known residences and employment; hospital records checked for his medical history.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Motel registrations reviewed for potential connections to RAY or ERIC GALT.  

Key Events  
- **April 1968**: FBI interviews in Dallas with FAULKNER, MILLER, KELLY, and WALTER PRICE regarding potential ties to threats against MLK.  
- **March 2, 1965**: JACK RAY (JAMES EARL RAY) contacted Durham Resident FBI Agent, expressing interest in information about MLK’s assassination.  
- **March 23–24, 1965**: LAMB reported interactions with RAY, who discussed plans to harm MLK and expressed racial animus.  
- **April 26–29, 1968**: FBI investigations into FAULKNER’s movements and associations in Dallas and Midland City, Alabama.  
- FBI and Durham Police confirmed RAY had no Klan affiliations and was last seen in Durham over a year prior to 1968.  
- Charlotte police records indicated RAY’s residences and employment history, with no confirmed hospital stays.  
- New Orleans motel registrations were scrutinized for individuals matching RAY’s description or aliases.  
- FBI airtel messages from May 1968 detailed fingerprint analysis of documents linked to James Earl Ray, serial number investigations, and case management directives.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into threats against MLK; issued case management directives for field offices.  
- **Durham Resident Agency (FBI)**: Involved in 1965 inquiries about RAY’s potential involvement in MLK-related plots.  
- **General Telephone Company**: Mentioned as an employer for LAMB and others, with records used to verify employment details.  
- **Durham County Police Department**: Verified RAY’s lack of recent activity in Durham.  
- **Charlotte Police Department**: Provided records on RAY’s residences and employment.  
- **Gwinnett County Police Department**: Mentioned in context of local law enforcement involvement.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_70-05-part_1_of_4.pdf

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