</s>MM 44-1854 PAGE TWO NEW ORLEANS RECHECK PROVINCIAL MOTEL REGISTRATION RECORD FOR W. H. HUNGLER FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. AM COPY TO BUREAU AND MEMPHIS, REPORT FOLLOWS. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail extensive FBI investigations in 1968 into potential suspects linked to James Earl Ray, the alleged assassin of Martin Luther King Jr. Key elements include car rentals at Tampa International Inn involving Donald James MacDonald, credit card inquiries tied to Robert L. Moore and HUMBLE OIL AND REFINING transactions, and tracking a 1968 Oldsmobile with Alabama license plates. FBI offices in Memphis, Birmingham, Norfolk, and Philadelphia collaborated on these leads, noting potential ties to organized crime or violent activities. Investigations also examined handwriting analysis of a letter attributed to J.Ray, concluding it was not written by Ray. Additional efforts tracked Don Pitt’s car details, connections to Robert Moore, and sightings of vehicles resembling Ray’s in Arkansas and Georgia. Anonymous calls referencing MLK and threatening calls to Dr. Aaron Weisberg in Brooklyn were also investigated, with suspects including Lanny Goodman or Bernard Landsman.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK Jr.)  
- Donald James MacDonald (linked to Tampa car rental and license plate 59-4065)  
- Robert L. Moore (associated with stolen credit card and reward flyer)  
- Don Pitt (linked to car details, former Alabama resident)  
- Shirley Satterfield (tax assessor who issued license to Pitt)  
- George Ingram Jr. (connected to Mercury seen by Dr. Linsey)  
- Randolph D. Jones (Pure Oil station manager with credit card records)  
- Frank (George B. Franks, Glenville, Georgia)  
- GALT (described but not identified; physical traits and Boston liquor store ties)  
- Raymond Henry Starns (Louisiana resident interviewed about racial tensions)  
- Robert Stader (alleged thief with anti-Black sentiments)  
- Robert F. Carey (Texas resident with fraud and assault charges)  
- Dr. Aaron Weisberg (Brooklyn physician, recipient of threatening calls)  
- Lanny Goodman, Bernard Landsman (suspected callers to Weisberg)  

Key Locations  
- Tampa International Inn (car rental and witness reports)  
- Alabama (license plate registration for 1968 Oldsmobile, Pitt’s former residence)  
- Virginia Beach, VA (Moore’s residence, credit card transactions)  
- Memphis, TN (FBI headquarters and investigative coordination)  
- Birmingham, AL; Norfolk, VA; Mobile, AL; San Francisco, CA; Fort Campbell, KY; Los Angeles, CA; Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; Denham Springs, LA; Huntsville, TX  

Key Events  
- Car rental at Tampa International Inn on May 8, 1968, involving MacDonald.  
- Reward flyer issued for stolen credit card linked to Robert L. Moore.  
- FBI handwriting analysis concluding the letter was not written by James Earl Ray.  
- Investigation into a 1968 Oldsmobile driven by an individual resembling Ray with Alabama license plates.  
- FBI investigation into Don Pitt’s movements and car ownership (May 13–15).  
- Dr. Linsey’s sighting of a Mercury resembling Ray’s vehicle in Arkansas.  
- Credit card purchase records linking Randolph D. Jones to potential Ray connections.  
- Phone call investigations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston.  
- Elimination of Robert Lee Moore as a suspect after interviews in Virginia Beach.  
- Starns’ interview about Denham Springs racial tensions and Robert Stader’s activities.  
- Carey’s fraudulent check and criminal history (assault with malice).  
- Threatening calls to Dr. Weisberg, linked to an anonymous FBI tip about MLK.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Memphis, Birmingham, Norfolk, Philadelphia offices involved in tracking suspects.  
- HUMBLE OIL AND REFINING – Credit card issuer linked to Moore and potential suspect activity.  
- ESSO Service Station – Reported sighting of a vehicle resembling Ray’s.  
- Pure Oil Company – Credit card records reviewed by Randolph D. Jones.  
- Boston Police Department – Involved in GALT’s liquor store interactions.  
- Texas Department of Corrections – Provided criminal record for Robert F. Carey.  
- New York City Police Department – Linked to threatening calls against Dr. Weisberg.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_77-08-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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