</s>CO 44-299 that she recalls an individual generally fitting the descrip- tion of unknown individual. She stated she recalls this individual wearing muddy boots and carrying what she thought individual wearing muddy boots and carries what she sought did not purchase a ticket, but rather an unknown individual described as white male, 5'8" or 5'9" or 6'9". 175 to 180 pounds, and gave to the other individual and showed him the way to the bus. Manin's dark blue suit then departed station. Mrs. dark blue suit however, she believed she had been in dark blue state however, however she believe she believed to have been individual previously. She could furnish no additional information re either unknown individual." AD D 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176 2

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into individuals with potential ties to criminal activities, including firearms possession, alleged threats, and connections to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. On April 7, 1968, an unidentified caller from Lansing, Michigan, placed a collect call to the White House operator (Secret Service agent Horace Gibbs) claiming information about MLK's killer. The caller described the suspect as a white male with a "negro accent," weighing 175-180 pounds, and located 20 miles outside Tennessee. The call was traced to a Burger King payphone in Lander, Michigan, but the individual using it denied involvement. William Madison Leonard, a former Alabama convict with murder convictions, was also investigated for potential links to MLK's assassination. Other documents reference unrelated inquiries, such as Delta Airlines passenger records for LEMEYER (March 27, 1968) and FBI surveillance of CARL C. EAVES (Louisiana), BILLY JOE FAULKNER (Alabama/Texas), and LUPO (Montana). Faulkner, an electrician with a Florida driver’s license issued in March 1968, was linked to the Ku Klux Klan in the early 1960s but left after being stopped by police in North Carolina. He denied involvement in MLK's assassination and claimed no hatred toward King. Chester Barfield, allegedly paid $1,000 for killing King, appeared at a Howard Johnson’s motel in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 14, 1968. Harold Edwards Nichols compiled a list of individuals he wished to assassinate, including MLK, with plans to use untraceable weapons or explosives.  

Key People  
- Unknown individual (white male, 5'8"–6'9", 175–180 pounds, "negro accent") who called the White House operator on April 7, 1968.  
- William Madison Leonard: Former Alabama convict with first-degree murder convictions and parole history.  
- Billy Joe Faulkner (William G. Faulkner): Electrician in Dallas, Texas; previously resided in Atlanta, Georgia; associated with Ku Klux Klan in the early 1960s.  
- Chester Barfield: Allegedly received $1,000 for killing MLK; appeared at a Howard Johnson’s motel in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 14, 1968.  
- Harold Edwards Nichols: White male (claimed born in Aberdeen, Washington); compiled a list of individuals he wished to assassinate, including MLK.  
- Sue Kelly: Barmaid in Pensacola, Florida; lived with Faulkner in Dallas, Texas.  
- Margaret McGuppin: Apartment manager in Dallas, Texas; confirmed Faulkner’s residency.  

Key Locations  
- Lansing, Michigan (Burger King payphone, collect call origin).  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI investigation reference).  
- Birmingham, Alabama (William Madison Leonard’s criminal history).  
- Atlanta, Georgia (Faulkner resided here from November 1967 to February 1968).  
- Dallas, Texas (Faulkner’s residence; Route 4, Graceville, Florida).  
- Charlotte, North Carolina (Chester Barfield’s alleged connection to MLK’s assassination).  
- Midland City, Alabama (Faulkner’s father resided here; visited January–February 1968).  
- Halden, Pennsylvania (fragmented phone call details).  

Key Events  
- Collect call from Lansing, Michigan, on April 7, 1968, claiming information about MLK’s killer.  
- Tracing of payphone at Burger King in Lander, Michigan, to a non-involving individual.  
- FBI investigation into William Madison Leonard’s criminal past, including murder convictions and parole history.  
- Delta Airlines passenger record review for LEMEYER on March 27, 1968.  
- FBI surveillance of CARL C. EAVES (Louisiana), BILLY JOE FAULKNER (Alabama/Texas), and LUPO (Montana).  
- Faulkner’s denial of involvement in MLK’s assassination and his claim of no hatred toward King.  
- Chester Barfield’s appearance at a Howard Johnson’s motel in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 14, 1968.  
- Harold Edwards Nichols’ alleged compilation of a list targeting individuals, including MLK, with plans to assassinate one using untraceable weapons or explosives.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations into Faulkner, Barfield, Nichols, Leonard, and others.  
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK): Faulkner was a member in the early 1960s but left after being stopped by police in North Carolina.  
- Delta Airlines: Passenger records for LEMEYER on March 27, 1968.  
- Ethyl Corporation: Employed CARL C. EAVES (Louisiana).  
- Local law enforcement agencies (e.g., Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Midland City Police Department).

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_76-04-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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