Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
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FBI Catalogue Identified Individuals Speakin
FBI preliminary tape identification note: None
Date cues on tape: None
People named:
Ermel Jones [phonetic] (speaks)
Velma Jones
Leslie Lowe (speaks)
Larry Schacht [by reference]
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
Mike Prokes, the publicist for Peoples Temple, records three short interviews with people from nearby Port Kaituma who came to Jonestown for medical examinations and treatments. The interviews were likely used in the Temple’s periodic radio programs broadcast in Georgetown. All Guyanese interviewed report positive impression of the Jonestown medical facility, as well as with the agricultural production of the community.
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription: 6/11/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On May 27, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B69-30 This tape was found to contain the following:
Interviews of ARTHUR HERNANDEZ (phonetic), ERMEZ (phonetic) JONES, and PROKES from Jonestown regarding their individual impressions of Jonestown.
Differences with FBI Summary:
The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.
Tape originally posted January 2019.