</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 19 SAY THE POSTION: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SAC ST. LOUIS L41-0 DATE: 2/2/4/70 FROM : SA WAYNE R. ALFORD SUBJECT: : SA WAYNEY R. HAMPTON. SUBJET: GEORGE W. HAPTON, who resides at L2115 Dardene, St. Louis VICTIMI GEORGE W ., HAMPTON, Missouri personally, a pearred at this office on this date and supplied the following information: He is employed in Department 950 of the Chrysler Assembly Plant, 1001 Highway Drive, Fenton, Missouri, Immediately after JAMES EARL RAY was sentenced to shooting MARTIN LUTHER KING, he was a member of the Missouri Department of the United States Department of Defense. at work. His fellow employees have gone such things as install a mangalist's nose in his working area, build little men out of paper and place a white hood over their head, place live ammunition in his work area, etc. HAMPTON stated that he has brought this information to his fogman the shop steward but they have not have not able able to stop these activities. HAMPION was advised that the facts of this case did not constitute a federal violation that the FBI could investigate. HAMPON did request that this information be made a part of the FBI's record. 44-775-1150 SEARCHED T.H.P.R. P.O.S. SERIALITY'N.A.D. FBI-SAINT LOUDY Buy U.S.$ Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan SMI-104 2013 RELEASE UNDER E.O, 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities following his 1968 conviction for assassinating Martin Luther King Jr., including harassment reports from Chrysler Plant in St. Louis and tracking of his movements between Memphis and St. Louis. The FBI reviewed claims of Ray’s alleged prison escape attempts, interactions with individuals like John Hart and Myles Horton, and a postcard linking MLK to Communist-linked figures at Highlander Folk School. In 1976, the FBI interviewed Leon Powell and his brother Claude Powell regarding an alleged assassination plot against King, noting polygraph results indicating they told the truth. Military records of Leon Powell were examined, including his U.S. Army service (1952–1955) and disciplinary actions. Congressional efforts to form a special committee investigating JFK and MLK assassinations are referenced, with the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) noted for its 1976 review of FBI files and challenges with document destruction by Memphis police. FBI field offices were instructed to handle documentation related to MLK’s case, including serial number tracking and file reproduction protocols.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted for King’s assassination; investigated for harassment at Chrysler Plant and alleged prison escape attempts.  
- **George W. Hampton**: Reported Ray’s workplace harassment in St. Louis.  
- **John Hart**: Interviewed about potential ties to CAA groups and revenge motives against MLK.  
- **Myles Horton**: Director of Highlander Folk School, linked to Communist training.  
- **Leon Powell**: Allegedly approached for an assassination plot against King; underwent polygraph examination.  
- **Claude Powell**: Leon Powell’s brother; interviewed regarding the alleged plot.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; investigated for connections to MLK case.  
- **William Ray**: Linked to Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis.  
- **Richard A. Sprague**: Legal counsel involved in King case proceedings.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Sites of Chrysler Plant harassment reports, Grapevine Tavern (linked to William Ray), and FBI offices.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Location of MLK’s assassination and Memphis Police Department’s handling of files.  
- **Monteagle, Tennessee**: Highlander Folk School, associated with Communist training linked to MLK.  
- **Fort Benning, Georgia**: Leon Powell’s former U.S. Army service location.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) headquarters and congressional investigations.  

Key Events  
- FBI reviewed claims of James Earl Ray’s harassment at Chrysler Plant in St. Louis and his movements post-conviction.  
- Interviews with Leon Powell and Claude Powell in 1976 regarding an alleged assassination plot against MLK, with polygraph results indicating truthfulness.  
- Examination of Leon Powell’s military records, including AWOL charges and VA claims.  
- Congressional efforts to establish a special committee investigating JFK and MLK assassinations (House Rules Committee, September 1976).  
- HSCA’s review of FBI files on MLK case, facing challenges with document destruction by Memphis police.  
- FBI field office instructions for document reproduction and serial number tracking related to MLK investigation.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities, Powell’s alleged plot, and document handling protocols.  
- **House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)**: Established in 1976 to review JFK and MLK assassination files.  
- **Committee Against Assassination (CAA)**: Mentioned in context of alleged ties to Memphis business groups.  
- **Southern Conference Education Fund**: Communist front organization linked to Highlander Folk School.  
- **Highlander Folk School**: Communist training institution associated with MLK through a postcard.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice Task Force**: Involved in reviewing MLK assassination files and related cases.  
- **Veterans Administration (VA)**: Filed claims by Leon Powell; referenced in military records review.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Alleged destruction of documents related to MLK case.

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_06-04-part_1_of_4.pdf

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