</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) F B1 Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Via (Priority) SL 44-775 PAGE TWO NOT PRESENTLY THERE. OFFICIALS, DISMAS HOUSE, ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE GANN AND WILL ADYSEY OF RESULTS. FOR INFORMATION KANSAS CITY, NONEY EDEN BELIEVED BY VELANTI TO BE INFORMATION EDEN NICKNAMED NICKNAMEED NONEY BECAUSE OF SPEECH IMPEDIMENT. VELANTI UNAWARE OF EDEN'S WHEREABOUTS. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. P Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document contains FBI records from 1967-1968 detailing investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities following his escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in March 1967. Key details include Ray’s alleged involvement with inmates Bob Powell and J. Russell, his use of a bread box to facilitate escape, interactions with Franki Barbara (a former girlfriend of Powell), and reports of criminal activities such as theft and drug dealing. The FBI tracked long-distance phone calls made by Ray between December 1967 and January 1968, including calls from Houston, Memphis, New York City, and other locations. Investigations also focused on car recoveries in Georgia, latent fingerprint comparisons, and Ray’s relatives, including his sister Mellea Marie Ryan and brother Jerry William Hay. The documents note Ray was considered armed and dangerous, with multiple FBI offices involved in the case. A separate document references FBI communications from May 1968 regarding Ray’s alleged connections to drug trafficking, use of aliases, and potential involvement in criminal activities linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Another record mentions Eric Starvo Galt’s movements between 1967-1968, including residences in Los Angeles and New Orleans, hotel stays in Puerto Vallarta and Memphis, and attendance at a bartending school in Los Angeles. While GALT was noted to be present in Atlanta by March 1968, no direct connection to MLK’s assassination is established. A third document includes Missouri Department of Corrections records on Earl Harris (released under Executive Order 14176 in 1968) and Walter E. Nolan (a long-term inmate with multiple robbery convictions). The FBI also sought information on Russell Lee Martin, a former prisoner in Arkansas, regarding his alleged involvement in narcotics operations at Missouri State Penitentiary.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation; linked to MLK assassination)  
- Bob Powell (inmate associated with Ray)  
- J. Russell (inmate linked to Ray)  
- Franki Barbara (alleged girlfriend of Powell)  
- Mellea Marie Ryan (Ray’s sister)  
- Jerry William Hay (Ray’s brother)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (investigated for movements and activities)  
- Charles Stein (acquaintance accompanying GALT to New Orleans)  
- Carl Drake (suspected associate of Ray; mentioned in FBI communications)  
- Russell Lee Martin (narcotics operations at Missouri State Penitentiary)  
- Earl Harris (convicted of violence to guards, released under Executive Order 14176)  
- Walter E. Nolan (robbery conviction, parole revoked and returned to prison)  

Key Locations:  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, MO)  
- Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO  
- Memphis, TN; Houston, TX; New York City, NY  
- Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL  
- Los Angeles, CA; New Orleans, LA; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico  
- Blytheville, AR; Jefferson City, MO  

Key Events:  
- Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in March 1967 using a bread box  
- FBI tracking of long-distance phone calls made by Ray between December 1967 and January 1968  
- Investigation into car recoveries in Georgia linked to Ray  
- Reports of Ray’s criminal activities, including theft and drug dealing  
- Latent fingerprint comparison requests for Ray’s identification  
- GALT’s residences in Los Angeles and New Orleans; hotel stays in Puerto Vallarta and Memphis  
- GALT’s attendance at the International School of Bartending in Los Angeles (January–March 1968)  
- Abandonment and recovery of GALT’s white Mustang in Atlanta, Georgia (April 1968)  
- FBI communications from May 1968 regarding Ray’s alleged connections to drug trafficking and aliases  
- Missouri Department of Corrections records on Earl Harris (released under Executive Order 14176) and Walter E. Nolan (parole revoked)  
- FBI request for evaluation of Russell Lee Martin’s reliability regarding narcotics operations at Missouri State Penitentiary  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Missouri Department of Corrections  
- International School of Bartending (Los Angeles)  
- Telephone companies (for call tracking)  
- U.S. Postal Service (references to mail-related legal actions in investigations)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_02-03-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search