</s>File . Serial Charge Out FD-5 (Rev.) 60) 44-1987-SUB-B File. Date Class. Case No. Last Serial Pending Closed Date Serial No. Description of Serial Charged SERIAL 925 TRANSFERRED TO FILE 44-1987 (LA TT to DIR & BA 5-31-68) Employee RECHARGE Date To From Date charged Employee Location 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities related to James Earl Ray’s potential involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on logistical challenges in verifying driver’s license records in Kentucky, efforts to locate Ray through county examiners, and connections to a Stevens Model 94 shotgun linked to a 1959 bank robbery. Administrative records also reference fingerprint database checks, phone call investigations for potential MLK-related connections, and cost data for FBI operations in multiple cities during May–June 1968. Investigations into individuals like George Karian, Robert L. Patton, Johnny R. Smith, and Tom McNaylor (alias Mike Mack) included interviews, law enforcement coordination, and inter-office communications.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK assassination)  
- Harold For (Kentucky Driver’s License Bureau director)  
- Roger Wilhoit (Driver’s License Bureau official)  
- Joseph H. Gamble (FBI Special Agent in Charge, Birmingham)  
- George Karian and Laura Galzero (subject of phone call investigation)  
- Robert L. Patton (investigated for potential MLK connections)  
- Johnny R. Smith and Tom McNaylor (alias Mike Mack; Arkansas inquiries)  
- Catherine Kohner (Identification Analysts)  

Key Locations  
- Louisville, Kentucky (FBI Louisville Office)  
- Frankfort, Kentucky (Kentucky Driver’s License Bureau)  
- Alton, Illinois (Stevens Model 94 shotgun linked to 1959 bank robbery)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI SAC reference)  
- Albany, New York (New York State Identification Bureau)  
- Little Rock, Arkansas (law enforcement checks for Johnny R. Smith and Tom McNaylor)  

Key Events  
- FBI efforts to check Kentucky driver’s license records for James Earl Ray (May–June 1968).  
- Investigation into a Stevens Model 94 shotgun found in Alton, Illinois, linked to a 1959 bank robbery.  
- Planning to distribute flyers and contact county examiners to locate Ray.  
- Search of New York State Identification Bureau records for fingerprint matches (case number 14-1987).  
- Investigation into George Karian’s family phone call records for potential MLK connections.  
- Interview with Robert L. Patton regarding his activities and statements about MLK.  
- Law enforcement checks in Arkansas to locate Johnny R. Smith and Tom McNaylor.  
- Administrative case transfers, cost data compilation, and inter-office communications via airTEL/airmail.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Kentucky Department of Public Safety (Driver’s License Bureau)  
- New York State Identification Bureau  
- Alabama law enforcement agencies  
- Arkansas Sheriff's Offices  
- Memphis, Little Rock, Newark, Chicago, and Cincinnati FBI divisions

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_71-04-part_1_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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