[Editor’s note: This serial has been released in several different versions over the years. While the 2014 release was the most complete, it also withheld information provided in earlier versions. The language missing from the 2014 version is denoted by red type.
[A duplicate of this serial appears as Serial 875. The differences between the original and the duplicate are also significant, enough so that the text of Serial 875 appears as a separate document. Beyond that, the additional text provided in Serial 875 is supplied here in blue type.]
0 210237Z NOV 78
FM FBI DALLAS (89-NEW) P
TO DIRECTOR FBI IMMEDIATE
FBI SAN FRANCISCO IMMEDIATE
FBI LOS ANGELES IMMEDIATE
FBI PORTLAND IMMEDIATE
SEATTLE IMMEDIATE
LAS VEGAS IMMEDIATE
SACRAMENTO IMMEDIATE ALL OFFICES VIA WASHINGTON
BT
UNCLAS
Unsubs; US Congressman Leo Ryan, et al.– victims, CAS [Congressional Assassination Statute} (A); FPC [Foreign Police Cooperation]; 00: San Francisco
On November 20, 1978, individual who wishes her identity to be kept strictly confidential within the FBI, appeared at the Carrollton, Texas PD and, through efforts of detective there, was interviewed by Bureau agents. Source indicates she was [deleted word] inner circle of Peoples Temple church operated by
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Reverend Jimmy Jones in Indianapolis, Indiana; Reno, Nevada; Ukiah, California, and San Francisco, California, from period [deleted date] [1961 through 1973]. Source was extremely reluctant to furnish any information initially but did state she was appalled at recent events which had transpired regarding Congressman Ryan and mass suicides of Jones’ followers. Source stated [deleted information] [she knew of persons] whose identities she would not furnish, had been members of 14-15 person inner circle which was the ruling [also in duplicate] body for the Peoples Temple church. Source advised she had intimate knowledge of numerous illegal and illicit activities in which Peoples Temple church followers involved, including [deleted word] knowledge of at least eight murders which occurred from 1970 to 1973 in San Francisco, California; Southern Oregon; Reno, Nevada; Southern California; and in state of Washington. Source advised [deleted information] all of these murders [deleted information] and source stated she [deleted line] knew someone who helped procure “hardware” used to accomplish murders. Source stated she was told by Jones and other individuals involved in Peoples Temple church that these murders actually occurred and she does have general knowledge as to the disposition of some bodies.
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Source, along with [deleted name], fled from Jones [deleted word] and took documentary evidence [deleted word] re crimes in which Jones and his followers involved. [Deleted information] tape recordings of various “Planning Sessions” meetings in which illegal activities discussed. Source also indicated [deleted pronoun] had other documentary evidence which [deleted pronoun] would not disclose.
Source interviewed for approximately three hours on this date but is extremely fearful for her own physical safety, the safety of her immediate family, and her fear of prosecution for her participation in various crimes in which she was involved with Jones.
Source appeared extremely knowledgeable of identities of various church members whose names appear in Dallas area papers as a result of publicity resulting from captioned matter. Interviewing agents and Carrollton police detective strongly of opinion potential evidentiary information in her possession is probably valid and she is what she claims to be.
Sources physically searched interviewing agents and
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Carrollton police detective prior to interview and would not permit notes to be taken during interview. Source undecided upon termination of the interview as to whether she would further cooperate with law enforcement in this matter. Source indicated she furnished Jones on a continuing basis with various drugs [two lines deleted].
Through discreet investigation it was determined source using name [deleted name] and is residing in [deleted location] since [deleted date]. Source employed at [deleted name]. This information should not, under any circumstances, be disseminated to anyone who does not have need to know as source indicated followers of Jones have in the past tried to locate her and other two female defectors and have threatened their lives.
Dallas will maintain contact with source as source has indicated she will decide she will decide whether to furnish information to the Bureau in the near future.
[Duplicate adds following text: “The FBI, in conjunction with our investigation of the death of Congressman Ryan, will conduct investigation to corroborate the information from this source. Armed and dangerous.”]
The Bureau and receiving officers are requested to advise the following information: 1) Have any past investigations of
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Peoples Temple revealed possibility that certain church followers may have been murdered; 2) Is it known whether [deleted information] members of Peoples Temple defected from church in 1973 and, if so, identities of these individuals.
San Francisco advised Dallas if any past investigations of Peoples Temple church in San Francisco or Ukiah, California areas have revealed that person possibly identical to source and possessing a [deleted information] did in fact belong to Peoples Temple church in past, noting source claims to have graduated from the school.
Investigation continuing at Dallas.
Armed and dangerous.
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For any questions or corrections contact Dallas office