</s>FD-26 (Nov. 5-22-6464) FBI Date: 5/16/68 Transmit the following in PLAIN Type in plaintext or code) TELETYPE URGENT Priority) Via TO DIRECTOR (LLL-38861) FROM LOS ANGELES (LLLL-1574) MURKIN RE SAN JUAN TELETYPTE TO BUREAU AND LOS ANGELES MAY PIFTEEN LAST. SUB K-978P2 RE LOOK-ALIKE ROGER SODERHOLM SEEN AT SAN JUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAY FOURTEEN LAST. DON SHULTS, MAY COMPANY WORLD TRAVEL BUREAUE, REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADVISED THIS DATE ROGEE SODERIOLM IS REGULAR CUSTOMER AT TRAVEL BURRAU. SULTS OBSERVED PHOTOS OF RAY AND STATES SODERNOLM SLIGHTLY. RESEMBLES PHOTO OF PAY IN WANTED FLYER BUT OTHER PHOTOS OF RAY BEAR NO RESEMBLANCE TO SODEROHLM. SHULTS CHECKED RECORDS OF TRAVEL PERSOEROLM AND ADVISED HE RECALLS, AND RECORGS INDICATE, SODEREHOLN PERSONALLY. SHULLS, AND REGORDS INDIGATE, SOUDERHOIM PERSONALY. 0 - Memphis (AHI) 44-19-1927-1930 - New Haven (AM) E SEDERHOIM PERSOLM PERSONALLY 1 - San Juan (AN) - - - - Los Angeles MAY 8 1960 - - VJH-Hank - FBI-MEMPHIS - (41) Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per: 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into individuals suspected of being connected to James Earl Ray, the accused assassin of Martin Luther King Jr. Key figures include Roger Soderholm, observed at San Juan International Airport in 1968 and described as resembling Ray, and William A. Marshall, a California resident linked to Ray through financial transactions and potential employment ties to International Harvester Company. The FBI conducted inquiries into sightings of individuals matching Ray’s physical description across multiple locations, including Sanford, Florida; Memphis, Tennessee; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; and Port Aransas, Texas. Investigations involved tracking travel agency records, hotel stays, taxicab logs, bank accounts, and employment histories. Anonymous letters referencing "Ben Raye" (possibly a misspelling of James Earl Ray) were also noted. While no direct evidence of involvement in the assassination was found, the FBI labeled these individuals as "armed and dangerous" and pursued latent fingerprint and handwriting comparisons to establish potential links.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK)  
- Roger Soderholm (look-alike observed at San Juan International Airport)  
- Bert Vande Visser (reported sighting of a man resembling Ray in Chattanooga, Tennessee)  
- Ben Dage (bar tender in Port Aransas, Texas; mentioned in anonymous letter)  
- William A. Marshall (subject of investigation; linked to car purchase and potential ties to International Harvester Company)  
- L. C. Barnett (International Harvester District Manager)  
- Woodrow Thompson (Parts Manager, Rust International, Inc.)  

Key Locations  
- San Juan International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)  
- Sanford, Florida (multiple sightings of suspect; Yellow Cab Company linked to Ray sightings)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI headquarters; multiple sightings reported)  
- Chattanooga, Tennessee (Holiday Inn where a man resembling Ray was observed)  
- Port Aransas, Texas (anonymous letter reference)  
- Chula Vista, California (car purchase linked to Marshall)  
- San Diego, California (Marshall’s residence and financial activities)  
- Bloomington, Illinois; Peoria, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois (employment and taxicab records checked)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigations into individuals matching James Earl Ray’s description in 1968.  
- Sighting of Roger Soderholm at San Juan International Airport and his resemblance to Ray.  
- Reports of a man resembling Ray in Sanford, Florida, interacting with travel agencies and hotels.  
- Anonymous letter referencing "Ben Raye" (possibly a misspelling of James Earl Ray).  
- Investigation into William A. Marshall’s car purchase in Chula Vista, California, including financial transactions involving a $1,500 check.  
- FBI efforts to verify Marshall’s employment history with International Harvester Company and conduct latent fingerprint/handwriting analysis.  
- Warrants issued for Marshall’s location and potential arrest.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Local law enforcement agencies in Memphis, Tampa, Detroit, Chattanooga, and San Diego  
- International Harvester Company  
- Yellow Cab Company (Sanford, Florida)  
- Travel agencies (e.g., World Travel Bureau in Redondo Beach, California)  
- San Diego Police Department  
- Memphis Field Office, FBI  
- Springfield, Illinois, FBI Office

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_77-08-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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