</s>FD-209 (Rev. 9-13-65) (C.P.F.I.C.E.O.D.) 2016-164 (C-P.I.) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SAC : : : RICHMOND (137-1961) DATE: 4/30/68 : SA : JOHN GORMAN (C) (C] (R Prob) FROM : : SA : SA : S.A. (C1 (Ci (P) PSI (R) Psi (R PR) SUBJECT: RICHARD CARL STEPHENS Dates of Contact RICHard CARL STEPHENS Titles and File #5 on which contacted MURKIN M/2/10. and /2/24/68 UNSUB, Northern Va. Savings and Loan 44-657 Association-Baileys-Savings-Crossroads-Branchy- TaxEx Co ., Va. 2/20/68 91-2692 -UNSUB-Alexandria-National-Bank-Alex- -Taxx Co .- Va ., 2/29/68 91-2705 -UnSUB-Alexandra-National Bank-Alex- Purpose and receive VA. 2-2/29 /68 -NEGATIVE -NEPATIVE Informant advised he has no information STATISTIC relative to BR matters in the Northern Va .. area. Informanent was given descriptive data and displayed photos of JAMES BARL RAY and requested to obtain any pertinent in- information available to the fugitive in formation available to be fugitive in Arlington - Fairfax County, Va .- VA ., area. Information was directed to obtain pertinent. information relative to gambling and probitution matters in in the Arlington area. Information certified that he has Rating furnished all information obtained DADOOS Coverage <loc_632><loc_792>by his since last contact. SAME APKOUOI6O FBI-RICHMONG-9-2696 <loc_605><loc_881>-1-91-2-7205 <loc_335><loc_913>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary  
The document details an FBI investigative report on James Earl Ray’s involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on his criminal history, escape from prison, movements post-escape, and forensic evidence linking him to the crime. Ray was incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) in 1960 for robbery and vehicle-related offenses, escaped on July 20, 1967, and relocated to Montreal under the alias Eric S. [REDACTED]. He later moved to Los Angeles, purchased a Remington Model 760 rifle in Birmingham, Alabama, and resided near the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where King was shot on April 4, 1968. Forensic analysis of money orders tied to [REDACTED] (linked to Ray) revealed handwriting and fingerprint matches, while recovered items included the rifle, binoculars, and personal effects. The FBI concluded that Ray’s actions were consistent with the assassination, though later debates questioned his sole involvement.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Escaped from MSP in 1967, moved to Montreal under alias Eric S. [REDACTED], purchased firearms, and resided near the Lorraine Motel during the assassination.  
- **Eric S. [REDACTED]**: Purchased money orders linked to the Locksmithing Institute and other entities; his identity is redacted but tied to Ray’s activities.  
- **John Willard**: Rented a room in Memphis, purchased binoculars from York Arms, and fled after hearing gunfire at the Lorraine Motel.  
- **Jimmy Delton Garner**: Rooming house operator in Atlanta who rented a room to [REDACTED].  
- **J.R. Smith**: Identified as the shooter of Dr. King; his identity is redacted but linked to the rifle used in the assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Ray’s incarceration from 1960–1967.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Ray’s residence under alias Eric S. [REDACTED] after escaping MSP.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: [REDACTED] purchased money orders and firearms; rented rooms at St. Francis Hotel.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: [REDACTED] purchased a Remington Model 760 rifle and exchanged it for another model.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel; location of York Arms binocular purchase.  
- **Little Falls, New Jersey**: Locksmithing Institute associated with money orders tied to [REDACTED].  

Key Events  
- **July 20, 1967**: James Earl Ray escaped from MSP by hiding in a prison farm.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis; a Remington Model 760 rifle was recovered and linked to Ray.  
- **March–April 1968**: [REDACTED] purchased money orders, firearms, and resided in multiple locations, with forensic evidence (handwriting, fingerprints) connecting him to the assassination plot.  
- **FBI Forensic Analysis**: Handwriting on money orders and latent fingerprints on recovered items matched Ray’s known writings and prints.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint analysis, tracked Ray’s movements, and linked [REDACTED] to the assassination investigation.  
- **Locksmithing Institute**: Received payments from [REDACTED], with money orders analyzed for handwriting discrepancies.  
- **York Arms**: Sold binoculars later identified as belonging to James Earl Ray, used during the assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-rh-657_sec_004_ser_233-294-part_4_of_6.pdf

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