</s>SAC, MEMPHIS (44-1987) 4/11/68 SAC. KNOVVILLE (44 -696) (P) MURKIN CIVIL RIGHTS (00: Memphis) On 4/10/68, HOWARD KICUTTON, McMoville Parking Service-561 North BOROWAY, ROOMVILLE, TENNESSEE, TELE- phonicsically contacted SA HOWARD A. MCONEY and indicated he had recently contacted SA Howard A. McONEY and Indicated he KING. On the same same SA MCONEY contacted MCOUSTION, and he provided the following information concerning the murder of MARTIN LOTHER desired that the information remain confidential. He stated that approximately three years ago he was a member of the American Civil Party (Arp) at Washington, D.C ., he was and lived in an American Civil War party at the age of D. C ., dissociated himself from the AMP Party years ago and returned to Ronoville, while in Washington, C. D. He became acquainted to RonOVille while at the AMF Party at the time of his arrest. He received acquainted the national treasure of the AMp in Washington. D ., C . and C . , and worked full time at the Amp headquarters. He stated that WELCH worked full full time in the AMPS headquarters. Hey, he stated that WHICH he is from either Houston or Dallas, Texas. He stated he observed a photograph in the local newspaper indicating this individual was the murderer of KING. when he observed this photograph, ALEN WHICH immediately came to then observed this photography. ALEN which immediately came ture and obtained a photograph of WELGH which appeared in some literature that obtained that prior to his leaving leaving Washington. D. C. He stated That WELCK is a white male, age 32, weight 160 lb. and has receding light brown or blonde hair, medium complexion, and 6 ft. to 6 ft ., in 1. In. height. He stated that WLCH has sharp features and no visible scars of the American civil war. He has no visible scarrs type and that has far far in Washington D.c ., and the emotional kill himself. one of the Washington, DC. and the Chronological 2 - Memphis (Bnc-1-1) 2-Knoxville D.C. 2-Memphis (BNC-1.0) D.D.S.C-2.0-2-0-0.1-0/0-1/0.0/2-2/0/1/2/3/2.1/3-0,0/4/4-2,0-3/4.0,2/4,0.2/5/0,3/5,0,1/4 <loc_824><loc_179><loc_824>2-K-Knovville AP-MEMPHIS <loc_699><loc_885>AP- MENNENTS

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on suspects such as James Earl Ray, Eric Stavro Galt, and Allen Welch. Ray is described as a fugitive with prior arrests for burglary, robbery, and probation violations, marked as armed and dangerous. The FBI tracked his movements through license plate records, flight manifests, and witness accounts, including a Ford car with Maryland license plates (DN 4120) resembling Ray. Galt, identified as a prime suspect linked to Ray, was pursued across multiple states, with financial transactions tied to him investigated via money orders and telegrams. Welch, associated with the American Nazi Party, was described as the alleged killer of King based on a newspaper photograph, though his connection to the assassination remains unclear. The FBI also examined potential Communist infiltration of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and internal security concerns about political conspiracies involving MLK’s death.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Fugitive with criminal history including burglary, robbery, and forgery; linked to MLK’s assassination; tracked via license plates, flight records, and witness reports.  
- **Eric Stavro Galt**: Prime suspect in MLK’s assassination; associated with Ray; investigated for financial transactions and movements across Florida, Missouri, and other states.  
- **Allen Welch**: Linked to the American Nazi Party; described as the alleged killer of King based on a newspaper photograph; pursued by FBI with possible connections to Houston or Dallas, Texas.  
- **Daniel David Kennedy**: Mexican detainee identified as a look-alike for Ray; investigated for potential connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Norm Perry**: Delta Airlines passenger linked to Ray; mentioned in flight records from Atlanta to London on April 6, 1968.  
- **A. Burne**: Delta Airlines passenger with no background data; referenced in FBI inquiries.  
- **J. C. Vaughn**: Passenger on Delta flight 106; investigated for potential ties to Ray.  
- **Bernard Lafayette**: SCLC Program Administrator mentioned in discussions about conspiracies related to MLK’s assassination.  
- **J.K.A. Jonesa-Williams**: SCLC Executive Staff member referenced in internal security concerns.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the investigation; telegrams and field office reports reference this location.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: FBI headquarters and field offices involved in tracking suspects and coordinating with agencies like the U.S. Passport Office.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Origin of Delta Airlines flight 106 (April 6, 1968) and a key location for Ray’s alleged movements.  
- **Baltimore, Maryland**: Site of motor vehicle records checks related to Ray’s license plates.  
- **Suitland, Maryland**: Southern Avenue address linked to Ray’s possible whereabouts.  
- **Mexico**: Location of Daniel David Kennedy’s detention; investigated as a potential look-alike for Ray.  
- **Dulles International Airport**: Flight stopover for Delta Airlines flight 106.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Site of arrests and convictions related to Ray’s criminal history.  

Key Events  
- **April 10–22, 1968**: FBI offices in Memphis, Knoxville, and Washington, D.C., exchanged telegrams detailing suspects, financial records, and investigative steps.  
- **April 20, 1968**: FBI identified a Ford car with Maryland license plates (DN 4120) as resembling James Earl Ray.  
- **April 24–25, 1968**: FBI issued alerts for Eric Stavro Galt, noting his potential connection to Florida and prior arrests; tracked Ray’s movements and reviewed money order transactions.  
- **April 25, 1968**: FBI investigated Daniel David Kennedy’s connection to Ray after his detention in Mexico.  
- **April 30, 1968**: Informant claimed King was on a death list, implicating Minutemen groups in the investigation.  
- **April 6, 1968**: Delta Airlines flight 106 departed Atlanta for London, with Norm Perry and A. Burne as passengers; FBI sought connections between Ray and other individuals listed on the flight.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central to the investigation; conducted field operations, telegrams, fingerprint records, and cross-referenced flight manifests, passport records, and personnel data.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Mentioned in internal security reviews suggesting possible Communist infiltration and conspiracies against MLK.  
- **U.S. Passport Office**: Involved in verifying passport records for suspects like Ray.  
- **Delta Airlines**: Reference to flight 106 from Atlanta to London on April 6, 1968; investigated for potential connections to Ray.  
- **Pan American Airways**: Mentioned in FBI inquiries about passenger records and personnel.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Provided legal context for FBI actions and records related to the investigation.  
- **Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: Including Memphis Division, Florida State Police, Missouri State Prison, and others involved in tracking suspects.

MLK Declassified Files

44-wfo-703_742153_09-04-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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