</s>EP 157-186 STOPS PLACED REGARDING JAMES EARL RAY, ALSO KNOWN AS. On April 11, 1968, the below-listed individuals were advised that ERIC STARVO GALT was wanted for questioning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Chief Patrol Inspector O. D. STEVENS, Marfa, M.F.A.R. Sector, United States Border Patrol Patrol, GALT, Martha, Texas, and Chief Patrol Inspector HERMAN MOORE, El Paso Sector, United States Inspector HERMAN Moore, El paso Sector, and by SA RICHARD A. PIGGIN. States, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Santa Fe Mr. GERALD O'CONNOR, Officer in Charge, United Bridge, in Paso, Texas. Contacted by SA DAVID J. REID. The below-listed individuals were contacted on the dates noted, at which time they were advised that an STARVO GALF noted, which time the JAMES RAY. an escape had been identified as Penitentiary. They were advised from a Federal Bureau at Investigation Complaint had been filed in Jefferson City, Missouri, on July 20, 1967, charging RAY with unlawful fleeing from the State of Missouri to Avoid Confinement and that they are obtaining Bureau of Information which would destroy and the immediately apprehension of RAY: any information which would lead to the location and apprehensions of RAT. Mr. Gerald O'Connor, Chief of Mexican Immigration, 1968, by SA REID ., CESAR PERZO'CONOR, Chief OF Mexico Immigration, Juarez, Chihuahuan, Mexico (covers Juarez, the Juarez Valley, and Ojunga, Chihuanas, Mexico) JOSO DE LA LUZ ARREOLA, Mexican Customs Service, Juarez; RAUL MARRUO, Chief Investigator, Federal Police, and Federal Prosecutor's 53 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains investigative records from federal and local law enforcement agencies in Texas and Mexico between 1967 and 1969, focusing on James Earl Ray’s movements, stolen vehicles linked to his activities, and inquiries into individuals associated with him. It details FBI efforts to locate Ray through contacts with border patrol, immigration officials, and local law enforcement, including observations of unidentified men resembling suspects in El Paso and Juarez. Stolen vehicles with Georgia license plates are investigated as potential links to Ray’s travel. Analysis of laundry markings on clothing recovered from the assassination scene includes thermoseal markings, while fingerprint comparisons are conducted between Ray’s prints and latent fingerprints found at crime scenes. The document also references individuals such as Eric Starvo Galt (alleged alias of Ray), John R. Keller, Robert Dale Porter, Frank Brickley, Lon R. Hummel, and Shelby Gean Baldridge, along with their interactions and locations.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (subject of investigation; later convicted of assassinating Martin Luther King Jr.)  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** (alleged alias of Ray; subject of inquiries into stolen vehicles and laundry equipment)  
- **John R. Keller** (reported associate of Ray; records located at La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution)  
- **Robert Dale Porter** (acquaintance of Ray at Missouri State Penitentiary; reportedly staying at Clark Hotel in Van Horn, Texas)  
- **Frank Brickley** (allegedly involved with Ray in El Paso)  
- **Lon R. Hummel** (investigated for possible connection to Ray)  
- **Shelby Gean Baldridge** (spouse of Ebert Baldridge, who reported wife’s contact with “Earl” Ray)  
- **Paul D. Sjodal** (special agent involved in inquiries)  
- **Mrs. Norma Kirktrick** (provided description of a Greyhound bus passenger matching potential suspects)  
- **Mrs. Ruth Retzolka** (subject of location search through postal office contacts)  

Key Locations  
- **El Paso, Texas** (central hub for investigations; locations include Clark Hotel, El Paso International Airport, and the Paradise Lounge)  
- **Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico** (border area with U.S., involved in immigration and law enforcement contacts)  
- **Midland, Texas** (location of Mrs. Norma Kirktrick’s report on a Greyhound bus passenger)  
- **Clint, Texas** (postal office contact for locating Mrs. Ruth Retzolka)  
- **Fabens, Texas** (U.S. Post Office location mentioned in inquiries)  
- **La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution, Texas** (location of John R. Keller’s records)  

Key Events  
- FBI efforts to locate James Earl Ray and Eric Starvo Galt through border patrol, immigration officials, and local law enforcement in Texas and Mexico  
- Investigation into stolen vehicles with Georgia license plates linked to Ray’s movements  
- Fingerprint comparisons between Ray’s prints and latent fingerprints found at crime scenes  
- Analysis of laundry markings on clothing recovered from the assassination scene, including thermoseal markings  
- Observations of individuals resembling suspects at locations such as the Paradise Lounge, Aztec Bar, and highways near El Paso  
- Telephone call checks by the El Paso Office related to Ray’s travel route in December 1967  
- State-wide Selective Service System checks initiated for Harry Lowwerker and Eric Starvo Galt  
- Description of a Greyhound bus passenger provided by Mrs. Norma Kirktrick in Midland, Texas  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (central agency conducting investigations)  
- **United States Border Patrol** (involved in locating Ray across borders)  
- **Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)** (coordinated with Mexican Immigration Service for border contacts)  
- **Mexican Immigration Service and Police Departments** (collaborated on cross-border law enforcement efforts)  
- **El Paso Police Department** (provided information on suspects and locations)  
- **Juarez Police Department** (involved in border-related investigations)  
- **Texas Department of Public Safety** (coordinated vehicle and property checks)  
- **U.S. Customs Agency Service** (monitored cross-border movements)  
- **Retail Merchants Credit Bureau** (used for financial institution inquiries)  
- **Monahans Police Department**, **Ward County Sheriff’s Office**, **Odessa Police Department**, **Ector County Tax Office**, and **U.S. Post Offices** (various local law enforcement agencies involved in checks)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sa-1242_742152_03-02-part_4_of_5.pdf

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