[Editor’s note: The subject of this serial whose name is deleted is Jim Cobb. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type.]
0 250050Z NOV 78
FM SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) (P) (SQUAD 10)
TO DIRECTOR, FBI (89-4286) IMMEDIATE
(ATTN: CID COMMAND POST)
BT
UNCLAS E F T O
RYMUR.
A complaint was filed at 2:45 PM, PST, this date as follows:
Affidavit
The undersigned deponent being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
That he is a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; that he is informed and believes and, having participated in reviewing information provided by [name deleted] [Jim Cobb Jr.] states: Mr. [Cobb] was associated with People’s Temple (PT) in San Francisco for a period of several years. In 1974 Mr. [Cobb] ceased to be a member of the PT but he maintained
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contact with family members in the organization and knows participants in the organization based on his personal experience covering approximately twenty years in duration. On November 13, 1978 in the presence of Congressman Ryan and several other people, [Cobb] went to the compound at Jonestown. On November 17, 1978, [Cobb] prepared to leave the compound in the early afternoon hours. From the Jonestown compound on the 17th of November, 1978, the party, including Congressman Ryan, went to an airport site at Port Kaituma. At that location the party expected to leave to return to Georgetown and eventually return to the United States. While at the airport site two airplanes were present in which the party of Congressman Ryan including Mr. [Cobb] and certain members of the PT group who had been residing at Jonestown prepared to board the planes for purposes of returning. While the two planes were at the airstrip, [Cobb] observed a tractor pulling a trailer of PT individuals. The tractor pulled the trailer to the edge of the clearing at the far end of the runway. [Cobb] stated that at this point he told Congressman Ryan to hurry up as he felt something serious was to happen. [Cobb] observed the individuals on the
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trailer and knows them to be the following individuals: Bob Kice, Tom Kice, Joseph Wilson, Albert Touchette, Ron James, Eddy Crenshaw, Wesley Breidenbach and Ron Talley. [Cobb] knew these people because of his relationship with the PT and urged Congressman Ryan to hurry up and leave the area. Among the group of people to leave on the flights was Larry Layton. [Cobb] observed the trailer and factor approach within thirty feet of the aircraft. At this time also the motor of the plane was running. [Cobb] then began hearing shooting. He immediately observed Congressman Ryan fall to the ground. At this same time various people started falling to the ground due to the rifle fire. [Cobb] observed members of the group on the trailer carrying arms. [Cobb] observed the members of the trailer group approaching Congressman Ryan’s party. He observed Tom Kice shoot Don Harris, reporter for NBC News in the head at point blank range. He also observed Bob Kice, Joseph Wilson and Albert Touchette shooting victims in the head. At the time that [Cobb] saw all the shooting going on, he had escaped from the plane area to the jungle perimeter. Due to what he saw, [Cobb] further retreated into the jungle and remained there until
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approximately 9:30 AM the next day. He then returned back to the airstrip location. When he arrived at this time, he saw what he believed to be Guyanese soliders [soldiers] checking the bodies at the airstrip. He decided to approach the soliders and identify who he was. He asked them for protection and they furnished him protection at this time. [Cobb] again bases his identification of the PT members on the trailer based upon his personal association with the organization and his knowledge of the members of the group. Donald R. Hale, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24 day of November, 1978, Frederick J. Woelflen, United States Magistrate.
United States District Court
for the
Northern District of California
Magistrates Docket Bo. 3-78
Case No. 2135 MF
United State [States] of America
v.
Bob Kice; Tom Kice; Joseph Wilson;
Albert Touchette; Ron James;
Eddy Crenshaw; Ron Tally [Talley];
Wesley Bridenbach [Breidenbach]
PAGE FIVE SF 89-250 UNCLAS
U.S.C. Title 18 Section 351 (A) (D) – Conspiracy to Commit Murder And Murder Of A Congressman
Before Frederick J. Woelflen (Magistrate), San Francisco, California (Address of Magistrate).
The undersigned complainant being duly sworn states:
That on or about November 17, 1978 at Jonestown, Guyana and Port Kaituma, Guana [Guyana], (1) Bob Kice; Tom Kice; Joe Wilson; Albert Touchette; Ron James; Eddy Crenshaw; Ton Tally; Wesley Bridenbach: Count I: on the 17th day of November, 1978, in Jonestown, Guyana and Port Kaituma Guyana defendants Bob Kice; Tom Kice; Joe Wilson; Albert Touchette; Ron James; Eddy Crenshaw; Ron Tally; Wesley Bridenbach, willfully and knowingly did combine, conspire, confederate and agree together, with each other, and with diverse other unknown persons to kill, Leo Ryan, a congressman of the United States, in violation of Tit [Title] 18, United States Code, Section 351 (D).
In furtherance of the conspiracy and to affect its object thereof, defendants Bob Kice; Tom Kice; Joe Wilson; Albert
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Touchette; Ron James; Eddy Crenshaw; Ron Tally; Wesley Bridenbach; performed the following overt acts:
1. On or about November 17, 1978, in Port Kaituma, Guyana, the defendant drove in an tractor-trailer to the airstrip of Port Kaituma.
Count II: On or about the 17th day of November, 1978, in Port Kaituma, Guyana, defendants Bob Kice; Tom Kice; Joe Wilson; Albert Touchette; Ron James; Eddy Crenshaw; Ron Tally; Wesley Bridenbach, with malice aforethought and with premeditation, did shoot Leo Ryan, a congressman of the United States, with a firearm, thereby causing injuries from which Leo Ryan did die.
All papers regarding this warrant were sealed and no publicity givlen [given]. FBI HQ should consier [consider] advising all offices of the existence of this warrant in that San Francisco is unaware of the location of all of these individuals and the possibility exists one or more may have escaped Guyana and be in the United States.
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