</s>SA0123 23523102Z PP HQ JN ME DE SA R 232816Z AUG 78 FM SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) P TO DIRECTOR (44~363661) PRIORITY JACKSON (62~54A) PRIORITY MEMPHIS (64~1947) (SUB N) PREIORITY BT UNCLAS EFTO KURKIN N. RE BUTEL AUGUST 22, 1973. ON AUGUST 23, 1978, A SEARCH OF BROWNSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS, CAMERON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECOROS, AND CAMERION COUNTY JAIL RECORBS, FAILED TO REFLECT ANY RECORD, IDENTIFIFLABLE WITH BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. ST 44-12422-665 Mr. ... M.C. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document is a declassified U.S. government report from the 1970s detailing an FBI-led investigation into Burgess Audie Wilson’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968). The report outlines efforts to verify Wilson’s claims, including his purported possession of a Japanese sniper rifle and movements during the critical period. It references legal records, witness accounts, and inter-agency coordination across multiple states. The text includes coded language, internal timestamps, and declassification notes (e.g., "2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176"), indicating prior classification. While Wilson’s allegations were never substantiated, the investigation reflects Cold War-era surveillance practices and the complexities of verifying high-profile crime claims.  

Key People  
- **Burgess Audie Wilson**: Central figure in the report; claimed involvement in MLK’s assassination but not verified.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination (1969), though his guilt remains controversial due to unresolved evidence.  
- **Christine Wilson**: Wilson’s sister, mentioned as a family connection.  
- **FBI Agents and Field Offices**: Multiple offices (San Antonio, Memphis, Jackson, etc.) involved in the investigation.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; referenced for proximity to Wilson’s alleged movements.  
- **Brownsville, Texas**: Where Wilson was arrested in 1968 for intoxication and threatening his wife.  
- **Mississippi (Ocean Springs, Fulton)**: Locations tied to Wilson’s legal history and family connections.  
- **Texas, Missouri, Alabama, and other states**: Geographic scope of the investigation.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Date of MLK’s assassination; central to Wilson’s alleged involvement.  
- **1968 Arrest in Brownsville, Texas**: Wilson was detained for legal violations, with a rifle found in his car.  
- **Inter-agency Coordination**: FBI directed field offices to investigate Wilson’s movements, medical records, and family ties.  
- **Declassification Note**: Repeated references to "2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176," indicating prior classification status.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Led the investigation into Wilson’s claims, coordinating with multiple field offices.  
- **CIA**: Implied involvement through broader Cold War-era surveillance practices.  
- **Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: Provided records and witness accounts for the FBI’s review.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sa-1242_742152_03-03-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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