</s>H4-1854 Do Not Destroy, Historical Value, National Archives Do Not destroy, Historical ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED Value,National Archives FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION / ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE/30.03 BY SPICI/S DO NOT DESTROY 300-149 PRESERVE FOR SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS Do Not DestroY, Historical Value, Natural Archives 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records detailing investigations into James Earl Ray’s involvement in the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on his criminal history, aliases, movements, and connections to other suspects. Ray, identified through fingerprint analysis at the scene of MLK’s murder in Memphis, Tennessee, was charged with conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and unlawful interstate flight after escaping Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967. His criminal record includes burglary, armed robbery, and forgery. The FBI tracked Ray’s activities post-release from prison, noting his associations with inmates like Lewie Raymond DOWDA, Jerry White, and Neil Abby, as well as potential links to individuals such as Leo Barnett (a Florida drug dealer), Fred Miller (a tag plant worker), Donald Stout (a convicted motor vehicle thief linked to a 1963 threat against MLK), and Steward Lindh (relative of Harry P. Stewart, a former Secret Service agent). Investigations also explored Ray’s alleged use of amphetamines, his connection to a Mustang recovered in Atlanta, and his associations with establishments like the "Gaslight" bar in St. Louis and taverns in Kansas City. The FBI coordinated efforts across multiple SAC offices (Memphis, Miami, Kansas City, Tampa) to locate Ray and verify his activities, including reviewing prison records, medical reports, and flight manifests.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (alias Eric Starvo Galt, Harvey Lowmeyer, John Willard) – primary suspect in MLK’s assassination; described as a loner with a distinctive rash on his head, gray-streaked hair, and amphetamine use.  
- **Harry P. Stewart** – former Secret Service agent linked to Ray through prison records and alleged associations with Steward Lindh.  
- **Paul Alvin Lail, Jr. (aka Paul Arthur Carter)** – Missouri State Penitentiary inmate who provided information on Ray’s associates, including Leo Barnett and Fred Miller.  
- **Lewie Raymond DOWDA** – former inmate describing Ray’s racist views, drug use, and prison associations.  
- **Jerry White** – inmate associated with Ray; a federal detainee.  
- **Neil Abby (aka Neil Abbey)** – Ray’s prison friend, described as a former drug store burglar.  
- **Donald Stout** – convicted motor vehicle thief (1965) linked to a 1963 threat against MLK; described as 5'7" with dark hair, born in Detroit.  
- **Steward Lindh** – relative of Harry P. Stewart; allegedly associated with Stout’s 1963 threat against King.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** – site of MLK’s assassination.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City)** – Ray’s former incarceration; location of prison records and inmate associations.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** – where a Mustang linked to Ray was recovered post-assassination.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** – "Gaslight" bar frequented by Ray per DOWDA’s intel.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri** – referenced in teletypes and investigative reports; taverns associated with Ray.  
- **Florida** (Jacksonville, Sanford, Deland, Boca Raton) – locations linked to Leo Barnett and other suspects.  
- **California** (Palos Verdes, Napa State Hospital) – potential locations for Ray’s movements.  
- **Houston, Texas** – suggested residence for Ray per Paul Alvin Lail’s intel.  
- **San Francisco, California** – home to Steward Lindh and Frances Lindh; linked to Stout’s 1963 disappearance.  
- **Detroit, Michigan** – birthplace of Donald Stout.  
- **Seagoville, Texas** – former residence of Donald Stout (convicted in 1955).  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968** – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **April 23, 1967** – James Earl Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **April 20, 1968** – FBI announced Ray’s inclusion in the “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list.  
- **April 25–26, 1968** – FBI investigations into Ray’s aliases, movements, and connections to suspects like Harry P. Stewart and Paul Alvin Lail.  
- **April 26, 1963** – FBI received a threat against MLK from James White, linked to the KKK.  
- **April 26, 1968** – FBI reviewed King’s file, identifying Ray as the assassin and expanding investigations into prior threats (e.g., Donald Stout’s 1963 plan).  
- **September 7, 1966** – Donald Stout’s conviction for motor vehicle theft; records noted his physical description and criminal history.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – led the investigation into MLK’s assassination and Ray’s activities; coordinated efforts across SAC offices in Memphis, Miami, Kansas City, Tampa.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** – site of Ray’s incarceration and inmate associations; provided records on his criminal history and prison behavior.  
- **Secret Service** – involved in tracking individuals like Harry P. Stewart and Steward Lindh.  
- **U.S. Postal Service** – referenced in Ray’s criminal history involving forged money orders.  
- **Coastal Aviation** – checked for flight manifests related to Ray’s movements.  
- **American Flyers, Inc.** (Oklahoma-based airline) – investigated for chartered flights linked to Ray’s potential travel.  
- **Bureau of Corrections** – sought information on Leo Barnett’s whereabouts in Florida.

MLK Declassified Files

44-mm-1854_v3-part_1_of_7.pdf

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