</s>DIRECTOR, FBI (44-33861) 6/26/68 SAC, SEATTLE (44 -3381) HURKIN 00: MEMPHIS Re Memphis airtel to Seattle, 5/16/68. On June 13, 1959, Mr. JOHN V. CLARK, Corporate Manager, Mr ., Seattle, Mr .. JOHN V ., CLARK. Corporate Security Section, Mr.'s Boosing Company, 7755 E. Marinal Way, S. Seattle, Washington, referred SA CHARLES GIESE W. S. Washington, referring SA CHARLES in Organization G-7900, who was a Secret Clearance. D.AHL residents at 2304-39th St ., Edmonds, Washington and according by M. J. HARRISON, who has a Secret Cleansant in organization by M ., JOHN FREDERICK GRACE, a Boosing Chemist in Organization 6-3020, also has a secret Clearance and who lives at 1009 Tenth Place S ., Edwards, Washington. ALL MEMBERS OF THE DAHL FAMILY WHO WERE INTER- VIEWED REQUESTED THAT THEIR IDENTITIES REMAIN IN CONFIDENTIAL. Seattle Indices of the DAHL family concerning the DAIL family members and their CHACE family members. On June 14, 1968, DAHL was interviewed at work: and he advised his daughter. DEBBIE GRACE is a friend of surnation of Mr. DAHL's information on that love. learned from DEBBIIE GRACE that three days prior to the KING assassination, GRACE had researched that KING would be and assassination. GRACE was the most important part of his life. and others. GRACES that he was a victim of the crime. temper. type unknown. GRACA reported has a violent On June 15, 1969, who is 17, was interviewed at her home in the presence of her mother. DEEBIE DAHL related the substance of the information outlined above and added that GRACE Is "violently anti- Communist. 2- Bureau 2- Memphis (44-44-1987) 44-311-390 CNG/Dg/4g/6g) (6) (9) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The declassified FBI records from June 1968 focus on investigations into James Earl Ray, a fugitive linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968), and George Robert Lettsinger, a criminal with multiple arrests for fraud and theft. The documents detail FBI efforts to track Ray’s movements post-assassination, including his alleged escape from Missouri State Penitentiary and attempts to obtain a fraudulent Canadian passport. Investigations also explore financial ties between Ray and Gene Bass of Dallas, Texas, who allegedly provided funds for the assassination plot. Lettsinger, flagged as an unlawful flight case after escaping Washington State prisons in 1967, was linked to anti-Negro sentiments during an FBI interview in San Diego. The records highlight cross-border collaboration with Canadian authorities (RCMP) and U.S. agencies like Border Patrol to locate Ray and verify his identity. Unverified claims about Ray’s ties to the Minuteman Organization and a Toronto Star report alleging his proximity to a Montreal-based member are noted but not confirmed. Administrative notes include typos, form numbers, and references to discontinue efforts after Ray’s reported arrest in London, UK (June 8).  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Fugitive under investigation for MLK’s assassination; allegedly escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary and sought a Canadian passport.  
- **George Robert Lettsinger**: Fugitive with criminal history including fraud and theft; flagged as an unlawful flight case after escaping Washington State prisons in 1967.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Mentioned as a suspect connected to Ray and alleged financial ties to "May" (possibly an alias).  
- **Gene Bass**: Dallas-based individual linked to Ray through alleged financial transactions related to the assassination plot.  
- **Kayo Stannard** and **Eldridge Breshears**: Escapees from Washington State prisons in July 1967, flagged as unlawful flight cases.  

Key Locations  
- **Washington State**: Site of prison escapes (Stannard and Breshears) and border checks for Ray’s movements.  
- **Canada**: Focus of passport fraud investigations involving RCMP and Canadian authorities.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Center of the MLK assassination investigation.  
- **Dallas, Texas**: Linked to Gene Bass’s alleged role in financial transactions with Ray.  

Key Events  
- **April 1968**: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., prompting FBI investigations into James Earl Ray.  
- **June 1968**: FBI efforts to locate Ray, including reports of his arrest in London, UK (June 8), and updates on prison escapees (Stannard and Breshears).  
- **San Diego Interview**: Lettsinger’s alleged anti-Negro sentiments and claims of renouncing U.S. citizenship during an FBI interview.  
- **Passport Fraud Investigation**: Ray’s use of a fraudulent Canadian passport under scrutiny by RCMP.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led investigations into Ray, Lettsinger, and financial networks tied to the assassination.  
- **U.S. Border Patrol**: Collaborated with FBI on tracking Ray’s movements across borders.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Involved in passport fraud investigations related to Ray’s alleged Canadian activities.  
- **Washington State Prisons**: Sites of escapes by Stannard and Breshears, flagged as unlawful flight cases.

MLK Declassified Files

44-se-371_767164_02-03-part_3_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search