</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: 4-9-68 Transmit the following in PLAINTEXT Type in planter or code) TELETYPE URGENT (Priority) Via TO: DIRECTOR, FBI AND SAC, MEMPHIS FROM: SAC. SPRINGFIELD (44-561) (P 1) MURKIN, CIVIL RIGHTS. RE BUTEL TO ALL OFFICES, APRIL EIGHT, LAST AND BUREAU TELEPHONE CALL TO SPRINGFIELD INSTANT. PURSUANT TO RE PHONE CALL, DISCRET INVESTIGATION On 4/4/9 CONDUCTED RE WILLIAM LOHMEYER, ROUTE ONE, STRAWN, ILLINOIS. INFORMATION DEVELOPED LOIHERYER HAS BEEN IN THE STRAWN, ILINOIS, AREA, DURING PERTIENT PERIOD RE CAPTIONED MATTER. LOHHEYER DESCRIBED AS WHITE MALE, AGE FORTHETREE, HEIGHT FIVE FEET NINE INCHES, WEIGHT ONE HUNDRED SIXTYFIVE, COMPLEXION RUDDY, HAIR BROWN, IN A BURR CUT, MEDIUM TO STOCKY BUILD WITH ROUND FACIAL FEATURES, OCCUPATION FARMER, WELL RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITY SPRINGFIELD INDICIES CONTAIN NO DEGRATORY INFO CONCERNING LOIHEYERY OR ANY OF HIS FAMILY. P. 44-61-21 SEARCHED 1-Springfield (44 -561) SERIALIZED. 1-1) MR.ras INDEXED. FILLED (1) Robert W.M. Approved: Special Agent in Chidge Sent: Sent: sg.g.9.919 Per. 4-4 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations conducted in April 1968 across multiple jurisdictions, focusing on individuals linked to potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key figures include William Lohmeyer, a farmer in Strawn, Illinois, whose movements were tracked; Billy Ray King, subject to latent fingerprint and palm print analysis; and Eric Starvo Galt, described as a white male born in Alabama with specific physical attributes. The FBI sought information on Galt’s location through state directories, drivers’ license bureaus, and financial institutions. A white Mustang and a Ford bearing license plate RA 97411 (state unknown) were tracked, with records from the Holiday Inn in Memphis and local law enforcement coordination. Investigations also included checks on Harvey Loweyr/Lowmeyer across Illinois counties, Mrs. Don Smith’s report of an individual resembling MLK during a public event, and inquiries into Carl Harvey’s criminal history, including burglary charges in Illinois and Tennessee. Robert L. Plunk, linked to Memphis via train travel, was investigated for tuberculosis and military service records.  

Key People  
- **William Lohmeyer**: Farmer in Strawn, Illinois; subject of FBI background checks.  
- **Billy Ray King**: Suspect associated with MLK’s assassination; latent fingerprint and palm print analysis conducted.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Identified as a prime suspect; linked to a 1966 Mustang (VIN: 6T07190647) and barge line employment in St. Louis, Missouri.  
- **Carl Harvey**: White male described as 27–29 years old with sandy hair, blue eyes, and a long nose; allegedly in Memphis around April 4, 1968; history of burglaries.  
- **Robert L. Plunk**: White male, 34 years old, 5'10", 160 lbs; connected to Memphis via train travel; tuberculosis and military service records checked.  
- **Earl Mode**: Informant from Grayville, Illinois; reported Carl Harvey’s alleged activities.  
- **Jack Hagedorn**: City Counselman who facilitated Mode’s contact with Harvey.  
- **Mrs. Don Smith**: Reported observing an individual resembling MLK during a public event and referenced an artist’s drawing of the alleged perpetrator.  

Key Locations  
- **Strawn, Illinois**; **Springfield, Illinois**; **Memphis, Tennessee**; **Grayville, Illinois**; **St. Louis, Missouri**; **Joliet, Illinois**; **Birmingham, Alabama**; **Cumberland, Coles, Douglas, Mattoon, Charleston, and other Illinois counties**; **Champion, Illinois**; **Cairo, Illinois**; **Montgomery County, Illinois**.  

Key Events  
- **April 8, 1968**: Earl Mode informed City Counselman Jack Hagedorn about Carl Harvey’s alleged involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **April 10–11, 1968**: FBI agents investigated Robert L. Plunk’s connection to the case via train travel and medical records.  
- **April 11, 1968**: FBI sought information on Eric Starvo Galt’s employment history with barge lines in St. Louis.  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee; Carl Harvey allegedly interacted with Black individuals there.  
- **FBI investigations (April 1968)**: Checks on William Lohmeyer, Harvey Loweyr/Lowmeyer, and Eric Starvo Galt across multiple jurisdictions.  
- **Vehicle tracking**: Focus on a white Mustang and Ford license plate RA 97411; records from the Holiday Inn in Memphis.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted investigations into Plunk, Galt, and Lohmeyer; coordinated with SAC Springfield office.  
- **Illinois State Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation**: Maintained records on Carl Harvey’s criminal history.  
- **Local sheriff offices** (Bureau County, Stark County, Danville, Paris, Marshall, etc.); **Rock Island Police Department**, **Moline Police Department**, **Springfield Police Department**; **Memphis Police Department**.  
- **Credit bureaus**, **voter registration offices**, **drivers’ license bureaus**, and **motor vehicle divisions**.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_001_ser_1-122-part_2_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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