</s>FD-38 (Rev. 5-22-64) F B1 Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plantext or code) Via (Priority) Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities between May 7–15, 1968, focusing on tracking James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. On May 7, an FBI memorandum warned dry cleaners and laundries in St. Louis, Missouri, about Ray’s presence, noting his laundry tags (digits “06-02” on red Thermo Seal tape and “20-03” on white Thermo Seal tape) and his status as armed and dangerous. On May 9, an FBI agent in Newark, New Jersey, documented interactions with JERRY RAY (possibly an alias or relative of James Earl Ray), who claimed to have vehicles (a 1960 DeSoto and 1961 Plymouth) and sought employment in Camden, New Jersey. The text also references PCI Harjorie Louise Fettters as a person of interest and mentions Ray’s alleged connection to the Country Club and potential relocation.  

On May 11, an FBI report noted Carl Murphy Jr., a former Person of Interest (PCI) for the Jackson Division, was allegedly offered $500 by someone to “do KING” (likely referring to Martin Luther King Jr.). The document also references Robert Wayne Phillips, who had prior interactions with Memphis and St. Louis divisions regarding liquor violations and other investigations. On May 14, a credit card investigation was initiated for a John Falvey look-alike in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Additional FBI telegrams from May 15, 1968, reference Walter Ellsworth Nolan (SIX EIGHT), described as the Subject’s closest associate at MSP (likely Memphis, Tennessee) prior to the Subject’s escape. The FBI requested SW Bell Telephone Co. (PROTECT) investigate phone calls charged to Carmen Patton’s number (FIVE TWO ZERO SIX) in Washington, D.C., and other numbers associated with Nolan or his landlady. Call details included locations such as Detroit, Burlington, Iowa, Quincy, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. The FBI sought subscriber identification for these numbers unless their relationship to Nolan or Patton was apparent, and to determine if calls related to the Subject’s whereabouts or activities.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK assassination)  
- Carl Murphy Jr. (former PCI; alleged connection to “do KING” offer)  
- Robert Wayne Phillips (individual under investigation for liquor violations)  
- JERRY RAY (possibly alias or relative of James Earl Ray)  
- PCI Harjorie Louise Fettters (person of interest in FBI records)  
- Walter Ellsworth Nolan (SIX EIGHT; Subject’s closest associate at MSP)  
- Carmen Patton (associated with a phone number linked to multiple calls)  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri (dry cleaners and laundries notified about Ray)  
- Camden, New Jersey (Ray’s alleged employment search)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (investigations involving Phillips and Murphy; MSP likely refers to Memphis)  
- Louisville, Kentucky (credit card investigation for John Falvey look-alike)  
- Detroit, Michigan  
- Burlington, Iowa  
- Quincy, Illinois  
- Washington, D.C.  

Key Events  
- FBI warning to businesses in St. Louis about James Earl Ray (May 7, 1968)  
- Investigation into JERRY RAY’s employment status and movements (May 9, 1968)  
- Alleged offer to “do KING” for $500 linked to Carl Murphy Jr. (May 11, 1968)  
- Credit card investigation for John Falvey look-alike (May 14, 1968)  
- FBI telegrams requesting phone call analysis for Walter Ellsworth Nolan and Carmen Patton’s number (May 15, 1968)  
- Requests for identification of subscribers linked to specific phone numbers and call records  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- SW Bell Telephone Co. (requested to assist in subscriber identification and call analysis)  
- Local law enforcement divisions (St. Louis, Memphis, Newark, etc.)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_02-03-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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