[Editor’s note: This is a State Department cable that was included in the FBI’s 2009 RYMUR release of documents under the Freedom of Information Act. It was not included in the State Department’s own release, but we have included identifying information for it using the agency’s designations.]
[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]
0 242050Z NOV 78
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8189
CONFIDENTIAL GEORGETOWN 3921
E.O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: CASC (PEOPLE’S TEMPLE)
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE ARRESTS
REF: A. GEORGETOWN 3789 B. GEORGETOWN 3853
1. Cons Off [Consular Officer] was unofficially rpt [repeat] unofficially informed by police officials that Charles Beikmaf [Beikman], born August 13 1935 in Indiana will be charged with the murder of Sharon Amos and her children at the Georgetown headquarters of the People’s Temple (Ref A). According to information from the police, he has at one time during questioning said that he killed them at Sharon Amos’ request.
2. Police officers, when queried regarding legal status of Michael J. Carter, Timothy J. Carter and Michael J. Prokes (Ref B) indicated that they will be charged with possession of unregistered handguns for the time being. The police apparently suspect them of more serious activities, however.
3. Prominent local attorney, Rex McKay, has been asked to represent the interests of some members of the People’s Temple, but exactly whom he will represent is not clear as yet, even to him. Since he was contacted by Paula Adams, who is staying at the Lamaha Gardens HQs of PT, we presume he will act for the 46 members there. He has not rpt not been asked
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 GEORGETOWN 3921
yet to represent Larry Layton, the one member of PT formally charged with murder.
Burke [John Burke, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana]