</s>FIELD OFFICE FLE FOIPA PROCESSED FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FICE REVIEWED FOR LISTORICALE DECLASSIFICATION INVESTIGATION DO NOT DESTROY. NATIONAL VALUE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, focusing on individuals connected to potential involvement in the plot. Claude Powell, Jr., and his brother Leon Powell are central figures. On March 5, 1976, the FBI attempted to locate Powell in Atlanta, Georgia, after he allegedly received an offer from an unknown individual to assassinate MLK. Powell described the encounter at Pete's Bar in Atlanta, where a white man with a briefcase approached him and his brother, suggesting they commit the murder. The FBI interviewed Powell on multiple occasions, including in Midland, Texas, and requested an artist’s depiction of the unknown individual. The investigation also referenced James Earl Ray, who was later linked to MLK’s assassination, and included correspondence about reward claims from individuals like Gladys Minnitt. The case was closed by April 1976 after no further leads were found.  

Key People  
- **Claude Powell, Jr.**: Subject of FBI interviews; claimed to have been approached by an unknown individual offering money to kill MLK.  
- **Leon Powell**: Brother of Claude Powell; mentioned as having initial contact with Ray Godfrey regarding the assassination plot.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Linked to MLK’s assassination; referenced in correspondence about reward claims.  
- **Ray Godfrey**: Friend of Leon Powell; present during the alleged meeting where the assassination plan was discussed.  
- **Gladys Minnitt**: Provided information to FBI about James Earl Ray’s activities in Tucson, Arizona, prior to MLK’s assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of Pete's Bar, where Powell claimed the encounter with the unknown individual occurred.  
- **Midland, Texas**: Location of FBI interviews with Claude Powell, Jr.  
- **Tucson, Arizona**: Mentioned as a location where James Earl Ray attended church services and was observed by Minnitt.  

Key Events  
- **March 5, 1976**: FBI attempts to locate Claude Powell in Atlanta after he allegedly received an offer to assassinate MLK.  
- **Midland, Texas Interviews (January–March 1976)**: FBI conducted multiple interviews with Powell and requested an artist’s depiction of the unknown individual who approached him.  
- **April 5, 1976**: Correspondence regarding Gladys Minnitt’s claim about James Earl Ray’s activities in Tucson prior to MLK’s assassination.  
- **April 1976**: Case closure noted after no further leads were found.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation, including interviews, document reviews, and coordination with other divisions.  
- **Civil Rights Division (CRD), U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in reviewing allegations and determining whether to pursue legal action.  
- **U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit**: Mentioned as a source for information about James Earl Ray’s case.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88-03-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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