</s>FD-245 (REV. 4:18-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED) O THIS FILED) FIELD OFFICE FILF PENDING LITIGATION DO NOT DESTROY FOIPA PROUSSEL FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DISTROY ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED DO NOT DESTROY ENTIRE HISTORICAL HISTORICIAL VOIFIE FOR HISTORTICAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFICATION INVESTIGATION Volume Number: Series: 188-2696E Bureau File Number: 4/4-38/61/ Volume Number "DO NOT DETROY: MISTO.ICAL VALUE, See also Nos. JONAL ARCHIVES" SEE VOL 1. FOR LITUGATION ASSTIED INFORUM TION ENCLOGED See wist Sattien LADES MADE IN 18-3718 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), including financial transactions, employment history, and interactions with individuals such as Howard Phillip Ethridge and William Bradford HUIK. A Barclays Bank slip found in Ray’s possession indicates he converted Portuguese currency to English currency at Heathrow Airport on May 17, 1968, suggesting travel from Portugal to London. Ray’s employment at the Indian Trail Restaurant in Chicago under the alias John L. Rains is noted, with interactions involving Hue, who alleged Ray was part of a conspiracy related to MLK’s assassination. The FBI also investigated Ray’s alleged trips through Detroit tunnel for border testing and visits to Mexico for a tourist sticker. Howard Phillip Ethridge, an inmate in Washington state, claimed involvement in the assassinations of MLK, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and two police officers, while intimidating two women with a gun and directing them to drive toward Pullman instead of Spokane before fleeing after being shot. A motel worker named TURNTIDE allegedly received a call about MLK’s assassination three days prior to the event. Financial records mention investments of $20,000 and $30,000 by HUIK and others in connection with Ray. Judge W. Preston Battle of Tennessee contacted Ray while he was incarcerated in London. FBI directives emphasized confidentiality and non-interference with state officials or courts. South African Police (SAP) and Rhodesian CID reports indicated no trace of Ray in those regions, though Beverly Harcourt Prophet’s passport records and travel history were scrutinized for potential ties to Ray.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (arrested in 1968; linked to Barclays Bank transactions, alleged MLK assassination conspiracy, employment at Indian Trail Restaurant under alias John L. Rains)  
- Howard Phillip Ethridge (inmate in Washington state; claimed involvement in MLK and RFK assassinations, intimidated women with gun)  
- William Bradford HUIK (contractor with Ray; financial investments of $20,000 and $30,000 linked to assassination plot)  
- Hue (individual who alleged Ray was part of a conspiracy involving MLK’s murder)  
- Beverly Harcourt Prophet (individual with passport records and potential ties to Ray)  
- TURNTIDE (motel worker allegedly informed about MLK’s assassination three days prior to the event)  
- Judge W. Preston Battle (Tennessee judge who contacted Ray while incarcerated in London)  

Key Locations  
- London, England (Heathrow Airport; Barclays Bank transactions; Ray’s incarceration)  
- Chicago, Illinois (Indian Trail Restaurant employment; Ray’s residence)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central to MLK assassination investigation)  
- South Africa (Beverly Harcourt Prophet’s travel and passport details)  
- Rhodesia (Salisbury Police report on Ray’s absence)  
- Washington state (Ethridge’s incident with Rachel White and Donnie White; TURNTIDE’s alleged involvement)  
- Detroit, Michigan (alleged border testing via tunnel)  
- Mexico (Ray’s purported travel to Acapulco for tourist sticker)  

Key Events  
- Ray’s conversion of Portuguese currency to English currency at Heathrow Airport on May 17, 1968.  
- Ethridge’s alleged involvement in MLK and RFK assassinations, intimidation of Rachel White and Donnie White with a gun, and forced driving directions toward Pullman.  
- FBI investigation into Ray’s employment history under aliases (John L. Rays/John L. Jones) at the Indian Trail Restaurant in Chicago.  
- TURNTIDE’s alleged receipt of a call about MLK’s assassination three days prior to the event.  
- Financial records indicating investments of $20,000 and $30,000 by HUIK and others linked to Ray’s activities.  
- Judge Battle’s contact with Ray while he was incarcerated in London.  
- FBI directives on confidentiality and non-interference with state officials or courts.  
- SAP/Rhodesian CID reports indicating no trace of James Earl Ray in South Africa and Rhodesia.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (central agency conducting investigations into Ray, Ethridge, HUIK, and related activities).  
- Barclays Bank (involved in currency conversion records linked to Ray’s movements).  
- South African Police (SAP) (reported no trace of Ray in South Africa).  
- Rhodesian CID (noted absence of Ray in Rhodesia).  
- U.S. Department of State (passport records and security inquiries related to Beverly Harcourt Prophet).  
- Chicago Field Office (FBI operations on Ray’s employment and residence).  
- Memphis Field Office (FBI operations on MLK assassination investigation).

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_86-03-part_1_of_3.pdf

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