</s>4/25/68 PLA INTEXT TELETYPE URGENT TO DIRECTOR, (44-38861), AND SACS, MEMPHIS (44 -1987), AND KANSAS CITY (44-(44-760) FROM MIAMI (44'-1854) MURKIN, CR RE KANSANS CITY TELETYPE TO BUREAU, MEMPHS, MIAMI, ST. LOUIS, APRIL TWENTYFIVE, INSTANT. RE: PURCHASE OF AUTOMOBILE BY JAMES EARL RAY AND WALTER RE: PURCHASE of AUTOMOTIVE, FITTOUR, AT MIAMI. FIA. RIFE OF OR ABOUT MY FOURTEEN, FIFTYTOUR, at MIAMI , FIIA. LUKE SELLARS, PROPRIETOR, LIKE SELLERS MOTORS, MAMI, FLA , ADVISED AS WAS THE PROPRETIOR OF AMACER MOTORS , MIAMI ., ONE THREE N.E. THIRTYS ST. IN MAMI , IN NINTEENTEEN SIXTYONE AND HAS FLA ., ADVISEO THIS BUSINESS IN NINEETEEN ST. MAMI. IN NIETEENTE AND HAS SINCE DESOLVED THIS BUSINES IN INNESTEEN SEXTYONE AND HASS SELLARS ADVISAD WHEREABOUTS OF FORMER EMPLOYEES AMACKER MOTORS UNKNOWN. SELLARES WHEREABOUT OF FORMEES SALE OF VEHICLE TO SUBJECT AS MENTIONED IN REFERENCED TEL, HOWEVER, IF THERE WAS SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT SALE, HE WOULD RECALL CIRCUMSTANCES. -St. Louis (Info) -Miami 44-175-35 -St ., Louis (info) SEARCHED: DNJ.J.V.C (2) SEARCHALITY 40-28-1962 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and activities following his escape from Missouri State Prison in 1967. Ray, linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was monitored for potential associations with criminal networks, drug trafficking, and violent intentions. Inmate RAY reportedly expressed disdain for Black individuals and willingness to kill MLK, though no direct evidence of a plot is provided. The FBI investigated Ray’s use of a bread truck for evasion, his alleged drug dealings, and connections to St. Louis, Kansas City, and Florida. Fingerprint comparisons confirmed Ray’s identity as Eric Starvo Galt, linking him to the King assassination. Ray’s criminal history included burglary, forgery, and prior incarcerations in Missouri and Illinois prisons. His escape from Missouri State Penitentiary on April 23, 1967, prompted FBI efforts to track his whereabouts, including monitoring Jerry Ray (his brother) in St. Louis and reviewing inmate testimony about his prison behavior.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspected in MLK’s assassination; also known as Eric Starvo Galt, Harvey Lawyer, John Willard, etc.)  
- DOWDA (informant providing details on Ray’s prison life and activities)  
- Carl Drake (inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who described Ray as a small-time robber with no history of violence or racism)  
- Jerry Ray (James Earl Ray’s brother; monitored by FBI in St. Louis)  
- Leo Barnett (Missouri State Prison inmate who testified about Ray’s mental health issues and amphetamine use)  
- Billy Miles (associate of Ray; mentioned in prison records)  
- Louie "Whitey" Dalla (individual linked to Ray’s associations)  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (Ray’s incarceration and escape location)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (FBI investigation focus; Jerry Ray’s travel route)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of MLK’s assassination)  
- Kansas City, Missouri (linked to Ray’s alleged drug activities)  
- Union City, Tennessee (location of Mrs. Phillips’ sighting of a man resembling Ray)  
- Leany Bank and Trust Company (1954 fingerprint check reference)  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- April 23, 1967: James Earl Ray reported missing from Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- FBI fingerprint comparison (April 1968): Confirmed Ray’s identity as Eric Starvo Galt.  
- FBI monitoring of Jerry Ray’s movements in St. Louis and Chicago.  
- Inmate Carl Drake’s testimony about Ray’s prison behavior and family connections.  
- Mrs. Phillips’ sighting of a man resembling Ray near Union City, Tennessee (no match confirmed).  
- Investigation into Ray’s alleged use of a bread truck for evasion post-escape.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducting the investigation  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (institution where Ray was incarcerated)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (involved in legal proceedings against Ray)  
- Kansas City Division (FBI field office involved in investigations)  
- St. Louis County Police Department (cooperating with FBI inquiries)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_02-02-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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