</s>UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MEMORANDUM TO: SAC (44-1368) DATE: 4/22/68 FROM: SUPERVISOR N SUBJECT: MURKIN' Re Albany airtels, 4/10 and 11/68, setting forth concerns who purchased Thermo-Seal marking machines. It is noted that Agents receiving copies of this memorandum have previously received leads to check with firms known to have or have had Thermo Seal marking machines for a laundry or dry cleaner utilizing the code 026-6 or D23-6. By airtel dated 4/19/68 and Memphis Division advised that the FBI Laboratory had advised a pillow case and a bed sheet were found in the trunk of a 1966 White Mustang automobile were found on the STAVO GAIN, which had been located in Atlanta on 4/11/68. These items recovered in the Mustang had a thermo-seal laundRY tape of approximately the same size as the tapes on the underwear previously recovered but the ones on the pillow case and bed sheet are yellow in color and contain the code "20"or "3" on the Thermo -Seal tape. In the opinion of the Textile Marking Machine Com- pany, Syracuse, N.Y ., the tapes were produced by a different 1 - 44-1366 1 - SA BASS SA BASS 4/4-1318-148/ 1 - SAA DAVIS SA GAPNEY SA HANNER 1 - 1 - SA HANMER 1- SA HERSMAN SERIALIZED ... INDEXED ... 1 -SA HERSHANNER SERIALIZEED ... FIELD ... 1 -1 SA HENNER 1 -SAA E.A. SMITH 1 - SA KENNAN AFR. 22, 1968 1 - SA STOCKTON FBI-PHILADELPHIA KISS J/IO/EIS (11) ela 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s arrest in London on June 8, 1968, following extradition proceedings to Memphis for trial in connection with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Ray was arrested under charges related to a forged document and later transported to Memphis. The FBI canceled its pursuit of Ray on June 10, 1968, stating he was no longer being sought. Subsequent records note his detention at Shelby County Jail in Memphis, including details about his cell conditions, security measures, and court appearances. A U.S. Air Force plane transported Ray from London to Memphis on July 2, 1968. The FBI also documented administrative actions, such as discontinuing cost data submissions related to the case. References to a "Rev. B" suggest potential witness involvement, though details remain unclear.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Arrested in London and charged with King’s assassination.  
- Rev. B: Mentioned as an SCLC official who allegedly testified Ray did not kill King.  
- John Edgar Hoover: FBI Director who canceled the pursuit of Ray on June 10, 1968.  
- Special Agents in Charge (SACs): Philadelphia and Memphis divisions involved in case management.  

Key Locations  
- London, England: Ray’s arrest site and extradition origin.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Trial location for King’s assassination case.  
- Shelby County Jail: Ray’s detention facility in Memphis.  
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: FBI office handling administrative tasks.  
- Atlanta, Georgia: Mentioned as a location for SCLC-related activities.  

Key Events  
- June 8, 1968: James Earl Ray arrested in London for extradition to Memphis.  
- June 10, 1968: FBI cancels pursuit of Ray, citing no further action needed.  
- July 2, 1968: Ray transported from London to Memphis via U.S. Air Force plane.  
- Court appearances and security measures at Shelby County Jail, including restricted access for media.  
- August–December 1968: FBI administrative actions, including cost data submissions and discontinue notices.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Central agency managing Ray’s case, extradition, and administrative tasks.  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Mentioned as an organization linked to Rev. B’s testimony.  
- Shelby County Jail: Memphis facility where Ray was detained during trial preparations.  
- U.S. Air Force: Transported Ray from London to Memphis.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ph-1368_sec_008_ser_457-548-part_2_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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