</s>FEDERAL BUREA TIGATION 2026 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigative activities in 1968 related to James Earl Ray’s movements and associations, focusing on telephone communications, interviews, and tracking efforts. Key actions include monitoring calls placed by Ray to locate Alonzo F. Cook Jr., interviewing individuals linked to Cook (e.g., Mrs. Vera D. Cook), and investigating phone call records from Texas and California. The FBI sought connections between Ray and intermediaries, including a woman named "Mrs. Bay" in Houston who reported receiving calls from someone traveling from Tucson to Houston. Verification efforts included confirming Ray’s presence on American Airlines Flight 38 (April 6, 1968), with a witness identifying an individual matching Ray’s physical description in seat 15C. The documents also reference investigations into correspondence with swinger clubs in San Diego and New York City, including inquiries about Richard Broman and Jane Parmon. Additional materials include fragmented information on FBI communications regarding Ray’s potential links to Bermuda and Pan Am employee Marvin Sperling, as well as military service records and unrelated personal correspondence from Donald R. Smith referencing fears of conspiracy accusations. Redacted or unclear sections appear in multiple entries, alongside administrative notes such as E.O. 14176/14178.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (suspect linked to MLK assassination)  
- **Alonzo F. Cook Jr.** (individual investigated for potential connections to Ray)  
- **Mrs. Vera D. Cook** (spouse of Alonzo F. Cook Jr.)  
- **Mrs. Bay** (Houston resident who reported calls from Tucson)  
- **Marvin Sperling** (Pan Am employee resembling Ray, linked to Bermuda)  
- **Donald R. Smith** (individual claiming military ties and involvement with FBI)  
- **Richard Broman** (subject of swinger club correspondence inquiry)  
- **Jane Parmon** (inquiry related to swinger club correspondence)  
- **Eric S. Galt**  
- **Gladyss Morrison** (wife of Earl Morrison, mentioned in correspondence)  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (central to MLK assassination investigation)  
- **Louisville, Kentucky** (St. Francisville Hotel referenced in call tracking)  
- **Los Angeles, California** (telephone records reviewed)  
- **San Diego, California** (swinger club correspondence inquiry)  
- **Houston, Texas** (Mrs. Bay’s residence and telephone inquiries)  
- **Alpine, Texas** (telephone calls and interviews conducted)  
- **Tucson, Arizona** (travel destination reported by Mrs. Bay)  
- **New York City** (swinger club correspondence inquiry)  
- **Baja California, Mexico** (mentioned in travel logs)  
- **Bermuda** (linked to Marvin Sperling’s alleged residence)  

Key Events  
- **April 6, 1968**: Verification of James Earl Ray’s presence on American Airlines Flight 38, with a witness identifying an individual matching Ray’s description in seat 15C.  
- **Investigation into Alonzo F. Cook Jr.’s associations**: Includes interviews with Mrs. Vera D. Cook and her son James P. Cook to establish background.  
- **Telephone records review**: Focus on calls from Texas, California, and Houston related to Ray’s movements and intermediaries.  
- **Swinger club correspondence inquiries**: Examination of mail involving Richard Broman and Jane Parmon in San Diego and New York City.  
- **Military service records referenced**: Used for identification purposes in connection with suspects.  
- **Unrelated personal correspondence**: Donald R. Smith’s letters referencing fears of conspiracy accusations and claims of innocence.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted telephone inquiries, interviews, and record reviews across multiple field offices.  
- **Postal Inspection Service**: Involved in swinger club correspondence investigations.  
- **Local police departments** (e.g., Memphis, Houston): Collaborated on tracking efforts.  
- **American Airlines**: Provided flight records for verification of Ray’s travel.  
- **Pan American Airways**: Mentioned in Bermuda-related inquiries involving Marvin Sperling.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_77-07-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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