</s>F31 MILWAUK F31 CHICAGO 350 URGENT 4/29/68 CA3 TO ALL SACS - RELAY MESSAGE PLAN FRO4 DIRECTOR: 44-33551 1P MURKIN ALL OFFICES HAVING LAN ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THEIR TERRITORIES WHICH MAINTAIN UNIDENTIFIED LATENT FINGERPRINTS IN CONNECTION WITH VATTERS UNDER THEIR JURI SIDICTION SHOULD 144ADIETELY CONTACT THESE AGENCES AND RESQUEST THAT THE FINGERPIRTS OF SUBJECT JAMES EARL RAY AS SET FORTH ON THE ID BE COMPARED WITH LATENTS ORTANED SINCE HIS ESCAPE FROM MISSOURI STATE PENTENTIARY ON FOUR TWENTY-TIRREE SIXTY-SEVEN. THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLY ESTABLISHING RAY'S PAST WHEREABOURS AND SOURCE OF FUNDS. LEGATIS OTTawa AND . MEXICO CITY REQUESTED TO DO LIKEWISE. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. END HAD reg. WIPD PBI MILWAUX x 44-389-243 Paul Dolanman SEARCHED: FELD.C. SENIALIZED: FLED.C 2/11-48/20 APR 2 9 1968 FB1-MILWAUKEE. Riley S. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities related to James Earl Ray’s connection to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on fingerprint comparisons, laundry records, and coordination among FBI offices. Fingerprint checks with local agencies yielded no matches for Ray, while laundry records from Spic & Span Laundry and Gunderson Cleaners were examined for potential evidence ties. Investigations into Roman Blenski and Harry Bochev were conducted but found no direct links to the assassination. Administrative memos reference unrelated cases (e.g., Eric Starvo Galt, Jesse Benjamin Albin) and requests for stolen vehicle information. In May 1968, FBI Milwaukee Office prioritized Ray’s location efforts through contacts like Tyrell Dennis and Earl B. Shields at Sun Castle Hotel in Florida. Two photographs of Ray were released to media outlets, including one from Mexico (1967) and another from California (early 1968). An anonymous caller provided a suspect description with Southern accent, black cocker spaniel, and potential Milwaukee location. Coordination among FBI SACs (Memphis, Birmingham, Chicago) ensured lead prioritization within 24 hours.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (fugitive linked to MLK assassination)  
- Roman Blenski  
- Harry Bochev  
- Tyrell Dennis  
- Earl B. Shields (Social Security Number [SSN REDACTED])  
- Robert D. Matthews (caller with suspect description)  
- Frank A. Lavelle (CS, advised no information on Ray)  

Key Locations  
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin (FBI Milwaukee Office)  
- Sun Castle Hotel, Pompano Beach, Florida  
- Memphis, Tennessee (case origin)  
- Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, and other FBI field offices  
- Spic & Span Laundry, Gunderson Cleaners (Milwaukee)  
- Madison, Wisconsin (theft case unrelated to MLK)  

Key Events  
- Fingerprint comparison requests for James Earl Ray with latent prints from agencies.  
- Laundry record checks for potential evidence ties to Ray’s activities.  
- FBI administrative memos referencing unrelated cases and stolen vehicle inquiries.  
- Release of two photographs of James Earl Ray to media in Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee.  
- Coordination among FBI SACs to share investigative results and prioritize leads.  
- Inquiry into Tyrell Dennis’s claims about Ray’s movements and contact with Louis Lonax.  
- Examination of Earl B. Shields’ employment history and Sun Castle Hotel residence.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Milwaukee Police Department  
- FBI field offices (Memphis, Birmingham, Chicago, Atlanta, etc.)  
- U.S. Savings Bonds Payroll Plan  
- General Services Administration (GSA)  
- Office of the Director of Central Intelligence (CIA)

MLK Declassified Files

44-mi-388_749561_06-02-part_4_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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