</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: 5/29/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) TELETYPE URGENT Via (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (MAIL) AND SAC, LOS ANGELES FROM: SAC , SPRINGFIELD (44-561) (PP. 1) MURKIN, SAC. SPRINGFIELD (44 -561) [PP.) 1) ON MAY TWENTYSEVEN, LAST, FEMALE USING NAME OF FRANCES E.RAY, ADDRESS SIX ONE FOUR NINE RUGBY, HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA, TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED QUINcy, ILLINOIS PD REQUESTING INFORMATION AS TO WHEREABOUTS OF JERRY RAY, CLAIMED QUINCY PD SHE WAS RELATIVE OF JAMES EARL RAY BUT DID NOT STATE RELATIONSHIP BUT DISCLAIMED KNOWLEDGE OF JAMES EARL RAY'S WHEREABOUTIS OR ACTIVITIES. LOS ANGELES, AT HUNTUNGTON PARK, CALIFORNia, WILL LOCATE AND INTERVIEW FRANCISES B. RAY. SIXONE ONE FOURE NINE RUGBY, HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFICORNIA. AM COPY SENT MEMPHIS. Springfield (44'-561) 1 - Bureau (AM) 1 - Memphis (AM] SEARCHED EHD:mpb (3) MPb SERIALIZED INDEXED COLERTS MLL Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent L.A. J.S.Jill.P.M. Per. M. 40-Jul- 601 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and associations in 1968, including interactions with informants like Allan O. Thompson, who described an individual named "Fitz" allegedly connected to Ray. The FBI sought to locate "Fitz," noting his potential link to a reward for information about MLK’s assassination. Records also mention James C. Hardin, linked to Thompson and possibly tied to Ray. Other sections reference thefts involving De Luca, a Plymouth car associated with William A. Marshall (suspected of armed robberies), and efforts to track stolen identification documents. The FBI coordinated with agencies in Memphis, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Quincy, Illinois, to investigate these leads. A separate report details an FBI investigation into a 1968 bank robbery in Alton, Illinois, linked to Ray and John Eugene Gavron, involving a sawed-off shotgun and clothing items analyzed for laundry marks. The case emphasized the "ARMED AND DANGEROUS" nature of the suspects. Another document outlines an FBI effort to identify Ray through photographic evidence, with Norman Gaddis, an amateur artist, unable to confirm his identity due to challenges in reproducing facial features accurately.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK Jr., central figure in multiple investigations.  
- **Allan O. Thompson**: St. Francis Hotel manager who provided descriptions of "Fitz" and James C. Hardin.  
- **"Fitz"**: Individual allegedly connected to Ray, described as Caucasian, 37–42 years old, with short hair and a sport shirt.  
- **James C. Hardin**: Linked to Thompson’s interviews; described as a Caucasian male in his early 30s.  
- **William A. Marshall**: Suspected armed robber associated with a Plymouth car linked to thefts.  
- **De Luca (Walter De Priest)**: Victim of stolen identification materials, including credit cards and photographs.  
- **John Eugene Gavron**: Alleged accomplice in the Alton bank robbery; later recanted his testimony under scrutiny.  
- **William Maher**: Ray’s uncle in Alton, Illinois, who denied knowledge of Ray’s activities since 1959.  
- **Norman Gaddis**: Amateur artist interviewed for photographic identification of Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Huntington Park, California**: Home to Frances E. Ray and associated with Raymond’s alleged connections.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Central location for FBI investigations, including the St. Francis Hotel and mail forwarding service inquiries.  
- **Alton, Illinois**: Site of the 1968 bank robbery involving Ray and Gavron.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Mentioned in relation to James Earl Ray’s past residence and potential familial ties.  
- **Chula Vista, California**: Linked to Marshall’s suspected robberies and vehicle-related incidents.  
- **Covina, California**: Site of a car accident involving "De Luca."  

Key Events  
- **Informant reports on "Fitz" and Hardin**: Thompson provided descriptions of individuals allegedly connected to Ray, including matching voices identified by the FBI.  
- **Bank robbery in Alton, Illinois (July 17–18, 1968)**: Suspects used a sawed-off shotgun and clothing items analyzed for laundry marks; evidence linked to Missouri State Penitentiary records.  
- **Theft of identification materials**: Mrs. De Luca’s stolen items included credit cards, photographs, and a checkbook, with an individual resembling Ray identified as the perpetrator.  
- **Photographic identification efforts**: Norman Gaddis could not confirm Ray’s identity due to challenges in reproducing facial features accurately.  
- **FBI coordination**: Multiple FBI offices (Los Angeles, Springfield, Chicago) collaborated on tracking Ray’s movements and associates.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted extensive investigations into Ray’s activities, including surveillance, informants, and cross-jurisdictional cooperation.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Referenced in laundry mark analysis for clothing evidence from the Alton robbery.  
- **Local law enforcement divisions**: Including Springfield, Kansas City, Louisville, and Boston, involved in tracing evidence and suspects.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_015_ser_577-649-part_2_of_6.pdf

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