</s>ME 44-1987 PG 44-578 WLC:light 1 1 The following investigation was conducted by VEHICLE CHECKS SA JOHN B. WOODRUFF: The following investigations was conducted By On April 23, 1968, Mrs. BERTHA COLLINS Secretary, Communications Division, West Virginia State Police, State Capitol Buildings Division, Weston Virginia State Public, State outgoing listing, Charleston, through the WVAVAVA. All communications center from April 1, 1968. to date, and they were personally checked by writer for checks made with Georgia and the following Georgia license, checks were found: on 1967, Georgia Registration Nos. 66954 and 4-60603 or 40-6033. April 9, 1968 ,, by Police License, Beckley, W. Va. April 9. 1968, by State Police. Beckley. W. V. A. on 1967 Georgia Registration No. 69954 and 6-60303. April 22, 1968 by State Sheriff's Office, Marion County, Fairmont, W ., Va ., 1968 Georgia Registration 510-653. April 23, 1969, by Sheriff's Department, Wheeling, W Va .- on 1968 Georgia registration No. 63-64384. The following Investigation was conductedby SA ROBERT D. WARDEN: On April 19, 1968; Desk Sergeant WILFRED MATHAENA, Police Department, Bluefield, W .. V ., A ., and Sgt. R. C. STOVER, West Virginia State Polices, Princeton, W ... and Sgt. R ., advised by writer that none of their names have reported seeing the 1955 or 1956 Dodge Police, Princeton. Or on April 23. 1968; desk Sergeant WilFRED MATHENA, Police Department: Bluefield. W .- V .- A .- and Sgt ., R. R .. STOVER West Virginia state Police, Principal, W, Va. ., Advised the writer on this date that their departments have not recovered writer of this state license plates since April 4, 1968 .- SA RAY V. SHOEMAKER: The following investigator was conducted b On April 22, 1969; Detective PAUL PRICE, Auto Squad. 88 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text comprises a mix of historical FBI records, business invoices, and coded messages from the 1960s, primarily focusing on investigations related to James Earl Ray, the man convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Key elements include Ray’s incarceration at the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), FBI efforts to track his movements post-release, and allegations of escape plans involving Mexico or Australia. The documents also reference Ramon George Sneyd, an individual under investigation for crimes like robbery and unlawful flight, though no direct link to MLK’s assassination is established in the text. Business invoices from D.P. Bushnell & Co., a company based in Pasadena, California, are included but appear unrelated to the main investigation. Encrypted or coded entries suggest internal FBI procedures and case management practices during this period.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968; details include his incarceration at MSP, interactions with inmates, and alleged escape plans.  
- **Ramon George Sneyd**: Investigated for unlawful flight to avoid confinement and robbery; linked to FBI tracking efforts but not explicitly tied to MLK’s assassination.  
- **J. Edgar Hoover**: Former FBI Director referenced in internal directives (e.g., FD-36 forms).  
- **Cecil Clayton Lillieridge**: Inmate at MSP with whom Ray interacted, possibly part of his prison network.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration; details about cell assignments and inmate interactions are noted.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Contextual location tied to MLK’s assassination and FBI tracking efforts.  
- **Honolulu, Hawaii**: Mentioned in immigration-related stop notices for Sneyd.  
- **Toronto, Canada**: Reference to coordination with the Toronto Police Department for tracking fugitives.  

Key Events  
- **FBI Investigation of James Earl Ray**: Focus on his movements post-release, attempts to evade capture, and financial activities (e.g., $200/month stipend from the state).  
- **Prison Network Development**: Ray’s interactions with inmates like Lillieridge and interest in Mexican legal permits ("Rentista Papers") for potential escape routes.  
- **FBI Tracking Efforts**: Coordination with international agencies (e.g., Toronto PD) and use of internal forms (FD-36) to monitor suspects.  
- **Alleged Escape Plans**: Ray’s purported attempts to obtain fake documents, evade extradition, and relocate to Mexico or Australia.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central to tracking Ray, managing case files (e.g., FD-36 forms), and coordinating with international law enforcement.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration; details about inmate interactions and prison records are documented.  
- **D.P. Bushnell & Co.**: Optical equipment supplier in Pasadena, California; business invoices from the mid-to-late 1960s are included but unrelated to the main investigation.  
- **Toronto Police Department (PD)**: Involved in tracking fugitives like Sneyd and coordinating with FBI efforts.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_83-02-part_6_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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