0 012250Z DEC 78
FM LOS ANGELES (89-436) (3) (P)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) IMMEDIATE
SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) (SF VIA FBIHQ)
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR, 00: SAN FRANCISCO.
Re: Interviews of tenants at 1435 Alvarado Terrace, Los Angeles, California (reportedly owned by PT church).
Synopsis of key interviews as follows:
Edith M. Simmons, white female, born March 27, 1896, advised she believes she last saw James McElvane leave the apartment at 1435 Alvarado Terrace on November 17, 1978. Approximately three or four months ago, at the PT located at 48th and Western, McElvane preached that “the revolution is eminent [imminent] and we have the means to start it”. The following Sunday, the congregation was ordered to write letters to the District Attorney’s office, Los Angeles County, making favor-
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able comments concerning the PT.
[Name deleted] Negro female, born [information deleted] with the PT, having California driver’s license number [deleted] advised that McElvane was dead. She did not know why the FBI was asking questions concerning McElvane as she knows that he was in Guyana prior to the suicides. She advised that she received a telephone call from San Francisco on November 17, 1978 from a woman, whom she could not identify, who told her that she had received a radio transmission from Jonestown and that Congressman Ryan had found everything favorable at Jonestown.
[Name deleted], nee [Name deleted], Negro female, born [information deleted], having California driver’s license number [deleted] with the PT, advised she last saw McElvane about two weeks ago and believes he went to Jonestown.
[Name deleted], a non-member of the PT, advised that he had lived at [address deleted] for one month. He paid his rent to Jim McElvane. He last recalls seeing McElvane about two weeks ago in the afternoon. On the
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evening of Monday, November 27, 1978, at approximately 5:00 P.M., he saw McElvane’s car parked in the rear of the apartments at 1435 Alvarado Terrace, and again saw it at the same time at the same location on November 28, 1978. He described this vehicle as being a 1963 or 1964 Dodge Polara, light gold in color with pink primer spots, bearing California plates.
On November 29, 1978, [name deleted], Negro male, born [information deleted], having California driver’s license number [deleted] was interviewed at his residence on 38th Place in Los Angeles. He advised that he had lost his wife and child in Guyana. He joined the PT in Los Angeles in 1973 and attended a meeting at 48th and Western in July of 1978. The “apostolic guardians” were responsible for the protection of Jim Jones and his wife. They were personally selected by Jones. The security unit was nothing exclusive and anybody could be a member of it. The “apostolic guardians” wore a uniform which was generally a black Levi style jacket, black pants, red shirt and black
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beret. Three of the “apostolic guardians” were as follows:
Joe Wilson, Negro male, middle to late twenties, 5’9″, 155 – 160 pounds, very dark complexion, short black Afro, who was noted as being a tough guy, a good boxer, and fanatically loyal to Jones.
Ronnie James, Negro male, mid-twenties, 5’9″, 145 – 150 pounds, medium complexion, large Afro, dark eyes, karate instructor, last seen in Los Angeles summer of 1977 and reportedly fanatically loyal to Jones.
Casey or K.C., Negro female, 18 years old, not further described, was the only “apostolic guardian” member whom he knew lived in Los Angeles.
He further advised that David Wise was kicked out of the Temple in Los Angeles because Jones stated he was engaged in firearms training.
BT