</s>KC 44-760 were kicked over a cliff into the surf below the hotel, after which the boys would dive into the surf as it rushed through a small inlet. He recalls RAY once had another inmate, KENNY HURT, or HURTY, in about 1966, send out $15.00 for him once, purported authorities watch out about expenditures closely and in the time, the inmates were allowed only about $3.00 per month expenditures, but RAY was to conceal the money in illegal other than his own treasury account. HURTT got RAY's money and sent it out to Mr. and Mrs. (Assou) got RRAY's (called) ever came to RURTY. who worried about it and thought it might have been stolen until he was told it would never come, by HURTY's knowledge of what he was doing. Former MSP inmate does not know that RAY might contact, other than the supposed friend at Campeche he named, and he has no knowledge of his whereabouts and no knowledge of his plans to escape, or activities following escape. He does not approve of the murders which is charged, however, and desired to furnish the above information to help if he can. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents detail extensive FBI investigations into potential conspirators linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray (RAY), Donald Stout, and financial transactions involving Albert Pepper and the Pepper Stationery Co. Key elements include prison records tracking inmates like RAY, KENNETH HURTY, and KENNETH LEE WADE; financial activities such as money orders sent to St. Louis, Missouri; and surveillance of RAY’s movements, including phone calls from Dallas to New Orleans. The FBI also reviewed prison records for KENNETH HUNT and other inmates, noting their release dates and potential ties to threats against MLK. A $100 million reward offer for killing MLK is referenced, linked to NISSIN in Texas. Contradictions in evidence, including discrepancies in fingerprint analysis and conflicting timelines about RAY’s travel between Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Birmingham, are noted. The FBI admitted errors in their investigation, including unexplained phone calls and graffiti linked to RAY. Additional references include Donald Stout as a co-conspirator, with efforts to locate him through car rental agencies and law enforcement; Charles Stein and Rose Williams in New Orleans; and financial ties between Albert Pepper (Carol Pepper’s husband) and the Pepper Stationery Co., which had connections to MLK.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** – Central suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; referenced in prison records, financial transactions, and surveillance efforts.  
- **Donald Stout** – Suspected co-conspirator; described as a white male, 5'7"–5'8", 210 lbs, with dark hair.  
- **KENNETH HURTY** – Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; allegedly sent money to RAY.  
- **KENNETH LEE WADE** – Inmate at California State Penitentiary; referenced in FBI tracking efforts.  
- **Albert Pepper** – Owner of the Pepper Stationery Co.; former spouse of Martin Luther King Jr.  
- **Carol Pepper** – Wife of Albert Pepper; owner of Grapevine Tavern and sister to John Larry Ray.  
- **John Larry Ray** – Brother of James Earl Ray; interviewed by FBI regarding his movements and connections to MLK.  
- **Louis Lomax** – Reporter covering the investigation, noting discrepancies in evidence.  
- **Charles Stein** – Involved in New Orleans police records; operated a tavern and had interactions with Rose Williams and Calt.  
- **Rose Williams** – Testified about encounters with Calt and Charles Stein.  
- **Dennis Fontenot (alias James Dennis Wade)** – Inmate at Missouri State Prison; referenced in prison records.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** – Site of the Albert J. Pepper Stationery Co., recipient of a $15 money order tied to RAY.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri** – Location of Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), where RAY and other inmates were confined.  
- **Dallas, Texas** – Center for phone call tracking related to RAY’s movements.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** – FBI office involved in reviewing prison records and coordinating investigations.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana** – Site of police records involving Stein, Williams, and Calt.  
- **Tampa, Florida** – Location of Charles Ray Johnson’s interviews; site of the Grapevine Tavern.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** – Mentioned in conflicting FBI reports about RAY’s travel.  
- **Los Angeles, California** – Referenced in FBI communications about car rental agencies and surveillance.  

Key Events  
- **Financial transactions**: Inmates like RAY and HURTY sent money through postal systems; Albert Pepper’s business ties to the Pepper Stationery Co. were investigated.  
- **Threats against MLK**: A $100 million reward offer for killing MLK was referenced, linked to NISSIN in Texas.  
- **Prison records review**: FBI examined inmates’ backgrounds, release dates, and potential ties to threats or crimes.  
- **Phone call monitoring**: Calls from Dallas to New Orleans were tracked as part of surveillance on RAY’s movements.  
- **FBI investigations into Donald Stout**: Efforts to track Stout, including requests for photos, interviews, and coordination with car rental companies.  
- **Surveillance of James Earl Ray**: Claims that Ray discussed a plot involving COoley to kill King; contradictions in fingerprint evidence and travel timelines noted.  
- **New Orleans police records review**: Examination of Charles Stein’s activities, arrests, and interactions with Rose Williams and Calt.  
- **FBI serial number tracking**: Documentation of case files (e.g., FD-S, 44-1987) and requests for assistance in locating suspects.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted investigations, reviewed prison records, coordinated with local agencies, and admitted errors in evidence analysis.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)** – Confined inmates like RAY and WADE; records were reviewed for investigative purposes.  
- **New Orleans Police Department** – Provided records on Stein’s arrests and activities.  
- **Car rental agencies** – Mentioned as potential sources for tracking Stout’s movements.  
- **Telephone companies** – Including Teleprion Company and St. Francis Hotel phone booth, referenced in surveillance efforts.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_80-05-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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