Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Communication Message Form
Date: 11/24/78
Classification: Unclas
Precedence: Immediate
FM DIRECTOR, FBI
TO FBI SAN JUAN IMMEDIATE
FBI SAN FRANCISCO IMMEDIATE
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR; 00: SAN FRANCISCO
Rebutel calls November 24, 1978.
As you are aware, four members of the People’s Temple (PT) church who resided in Jonestown, Guyana, left the Jonestown camp prior to the attack on the congressman by a boat named the Albatross and traveled to Trinidad Port-of-Spain. These persons are identified as follows:
Charles E. Touchette, DPOB, September 28, 1930, Indiana;
Helen Swinney, DPOB October 21, 1913, Texas;
Richard Mario Janaro, DPOB February 3, 1927, New York;
Philip Blakey, British citizen.
The boat is one of two boats which have been alleged to
PAGE TWO DE HQ 0123 UNCLAS
carry weapons from the United States to Jonestown, Guyana for the PT. Touchette is the father of Albert Touchette, who is considered a suspect in the assassination of Congressman Ryan. After considerable negotiation, the Government of Trinidad, Tobago, has given its approval for the visit of two FBI agents to interview the above persons in Trinidad.
Accordingly, Bureau authority is granted for two agents of the San Juan Division to travel to Trinidad Port-of-Spain and interview above persons concerning their knowledge of the Reverend Jim Jones and any plot the Reverend Jones or any other church members had to assassinate Congressman Ryan. If travel by commercial airlines cannot be arranged, you are authorized to charter a plane for the flight using a Bureau pilot who is available at San Juan. However, because the Government of Trinidad, Tobago, has only authorized two FBI agents, this pilot must be one of the two agents assigned this lead. U.S. Department of State has advised that the above persons are considering leaving Trinidad, however, their plans are at this point very tentative. Therefore, you should expedite the arrangements for agent travel and advise by return teletype
PAGE THREE DE HQ 0123 UNCLAS
the identities of the agents traveling and their estimated time of arrival and by what means.
Upon arrival, the agents should contact the US Embassy for physical locations of the above persons.
Armed and dangerous. Suicidal tendancies [tendencies].
BT
#
Note:
By teletype 11/24/78, State Department advised that the Government of Trinidad, Tobago, authorized the travel of two FBI agents to Trinidad to interview four PT members. Bureau authority is granted for this travel.