</s>F.D . 245 (REV. 413-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUSIC NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) DO NOT DESTROY - PENNSYLVANIA STAGANIA NOT BE REMOVEED FROM or ADDEDTO THIS FILE. WFO 500c 1/4th 44-203 DO NOT DESTINOY - FEDERAL BUREAU - PENNINSYLVANSIA STAGEANIA NO. 5242 792 FEDERAL BUREAU of ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number 24-38861 Volume Number: Schedule: 2.30 Theo 3/4.3/4 Bureaua File Number ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE INJUSJUICE ASSISTED BY DATE/S/A SPICK/259 See also Nos. DO NOT DISTROY, HISTOPICAL VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES C WWW.MILLIAM.10-37972 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on leads involving Sterling Tucker, Eric Stavvo Galt, and James Earl Ray. On April 13–19, 1968, interviews were conducted with Tucker, who stayed at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis during April 3–4, 1968, and individuals associated with Thermo-Seal marking machines. A composite photo of Galt was reviewed but did not match known SS Hudson crew members. The FBI sought to locate a white male suspect described as 5'5" to 5'10" tall with light brown hair, who rented an apartment in Washington, D.C., and may have been linked to the assassination. A wanted flyer (#442) for Galt was circulated but yielded no confirmed sightings. Coordination with Secret Service occurred, and the investigation was partially discontinued after confirming MLK’s death time (6:03 PM on April 4, 1968). Additional inquiries included passport checks for Ray and aliases like Eric Stavo Galt, stolen vehicle investigations in Atlanta, and interviews with witnesses such as Jimmie Delton Garner. James Earl Ray was linked to forged money orders, financial transactions, and connections to Scott Nordal (a look-alike) and Eric Galt. Investigations also examined employment records, hotel stays, postal money order purchases, and travel patterns, including checks at the Court of Two Sisters restaurant in New Orleans and Wilshire Book Company in Los Angeles.  

Key People  
- Sterling Tucker (interviewed at Lorraine Hotel, Memphis)  
- Eric Stavvo Galt (suspect profiled in composite photo and wanted flyer #442)  
- Anna Maderbergington (apartment manager who interacted with a white male suspect)  
- Wayne Koffs (linked to Eagles Nest Restaurant and apartment rental)  
- Richard Lyons (U.S. Government employee contacted for information)  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin; linked to forged money orders, financial transactions, and Eric Galt)  
- Scott Nordal (look-alike for Ray; worked at Court of Two Sisters restaurant in New Orleans)  
- Melvin Powers (owner-manager of Wilshire Book Company)  
- James Troy Coch Jr. (arrested for unauthorized use of an automobile; linked to Washington, D.C., around MLK’s assassination time)  
- Jimmie Delton Garner (rooming house owner interviewed about Ray)  
- Robert D. Johnson (Passport Office Acting Director)  
- Edward Stoken (Passport Officer)  

Key Locations  
- Lorraine Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee (site of MLK’s assassination)  
- 400 21st Street, NE, Washington, D.C. (apartment where suspect resided)  
- Eagles Nest Restaurant, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.  
- Atlanta, Georgia (investigation into stolen vehicles and financial records)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (Court of Two Sisters restaurant; Scott Nordal’s employment)  
- Los Angeles, California (Wilshire Book Company; Santa Monica-Western Station, U.S. Postal Service)  
- Washington, D.C. (Ray’s arrest location and financial record review)  
- Kansas City, Kansas (residence of James Troy Coch Jr.)  
- Springfield, Illinois; Savannah, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee  

Key Events  
- FBI interviews with Sterling Tucker and Thermo-Seal associates (April 13–19, 1968).  
- Review of composite photo of Eric Stavvo Galt and comparison with known individuals.  
- Investigation into a white male suspect who rented an apartment in Washington, D.C., potentially linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- Coordination with Secret Service for interviews related to the case.  
- Termination of investigation due to confirmation of MLK’s death time (6:03 PM on April 4, 1968).  
- Examination of James Earl Ray’s financial records, including forged money orders and postal money order purchases.  
- Checks at Court of Two Sisters restaurant in New Orleans and Wilshire Book Company in Los Angeles.  
- Investigation into stolen vehicles in Atlanta between March 24 and April 8, 1968.  
- Passport checks for Ray and aliases like Eric Stavo Galt; marking Ray as "armed and dangerous."  
- Interviews with witnesses, including Jimmie Delton Garner and doctors/psychologists.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Secret Service  
- U.S. Postal Service  
- Los Angeles Police Department  
- Court of Two Sisters Restaurant  
- Wilshire Book Company  
- Textile Marking Machine Company  
- U.S. Immigration and Border Patrol agencies  
- U.S. Department of State (Passport Office)  
- Credit bureaus  
- Car dealerships  
- Airlines  
- Transportation services

MLK Declassified Files

44-wfo-703_742153_09-04-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search