</s>11-5-68 AIRTEL AM TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (44)-1887) P MURKIN Enclosed to Bureau are four copies of LEM regarding information furnished by one BILL SARTOR (vo Departmental Attorney J. HAROLD FLANKEY regarding a possible conspiracy in instant case. 3 BUREAU (Enc. 4)AM) 1 MEMPHIS JCH:BAM (4) 44-1997 Sub-E-1898 Lil. lil. lil 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document is an FBI memorandum dated November 5, 1968, referencing James Earl Ray (also referred to as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) and a potential conspiracy surrounding his assassination. It details information provided by Bill Sartor, a contract writer from Greenfield, Mississippi, who claimed to have interviewed individuals connected to Ray’s activities. Sartor stated that Charlie Stein, a petty racketeer in Los Angeles, contacted Ray and directed him to individuals in New Orleans allegedly associated with the Mafia. These contacts were said to include Frank Liberto, described as a Memphis racketeer and lieutenant of John McFerrance. Sartor also mentioned hearing reports of a man on the telephone stating that someone shot King on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, though no conclusive evidence was found. The document notes that Claude Cockrell, a segregationist and narcotics dealer, was suspected of involvement in moonshine operations and had a questionable reputation among police. Joe Cacameti and Larry Mann, identified as professional killers by Sartor, were not yet linked to the murder. The FBI acknowledged police presence around the Lorraine Hotel due to racial tensions and King’s prominence, but no direct connection between individuals mentioned and the assassination was established.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (also referred to as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)  
- Bill Sartor (contract writer from Greenfield, Mississippi)  
- Charlie Stein (petty racketeer in Los Angeles)  
- Frank Liberto (described as a Memphis racketeer and lieutenant of John McFerrance)  
- Claude Cockrell (segregationist, narcotics dealer with suspected moonshine ties)  
- Joe Cacameti (professional killer, per Sartor’s account)  
- Larry Mann (professional killer, per Sartor’s account)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles (connection to Charlie Stein)  
- New Orleans (alleged contacts for James Earl Ray)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Lorraine Hotel, site of the assassination)  
- Somerville, Tennessee (mentioned in context of a reported shooting incident)  

Key Events  
- James Earl Ray’s alleged contact with individuals in New Orleans through Charlie Stein.  
- Reports of a man on the telephone stating that someone shot Dr. King on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel.  
- Investigation into Claude Cockrell’s involvement in moonshine operations and his questionable reputation among police.  
- Police presence around the Lorraine Hotel due to racial tensions and Dr. King’s prominence.  
- Sartor’s claims about professional killers (Joe Cacameti and Larry Mann) not being linked to the murder at the time.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department (mentioned in context of Cockrell’s reputation and police presence around the Lorraine Hotel)  
- Mafia (alleged connections through Frank Liberto and John McFerrance)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_78-05-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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