0 010240Z DEC 78
FM LOS ANGELES (89-436) (P)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) IMMEDIATE
SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) IMMEDIATE (SF VIA FBIHQ)
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR, 00: SAN FRANCISCO
On November 29, 1978, Miguel de Pina, member of Peoples Temple (PT) sect, was interviewed at the St. Mary’s Long Beach Hospital, Long Beach, California. De Pina furnished following information regarding his knowledge of the PT and the massacre that occurred in Jonestown, Guyana.
De Pina advised that in 1972 his wife, Lovie de Pina, was in poor health and was referred to Reverend Jim Jones as a possible health healer. De Pina accompanied his wife to several of PT churches in Los Angeles and he and his wife noted significant improvement in her health. Both
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Miguel and Lovie de Pina became members of PT and took up residence in Redwood Valley, California, PT commune. Reverend Jim Jones required that all their income be surrendered to PT and at this instruction of Reverend Jim Jones, Lovie de Pina obtained Social Security checks in her name only and surrendered checks to PT. Miguel De Pina indicates that Reverend Jim Jones preached philosophy of anti-discrimination and asserted that racism was practiced in the United States and that his church was only salvation of races. Most of membership of PT were black, however, there was a sizeable amount of whites as well as educated members. Both Miguel and Lovie de Pina resided in Redwood Valley commune for approximately three years.
De Pina noted Reverend Jones’ sermons changed in context and no longer preached gospel, but emphasized his position against racism and affiliation with Russia. Reverend Jones appeared to become obsessed with the idea that CIA was plotting with individuals to attempt to infiltrate the PT to disrupt and dissolve it. Reverend Jones formed an alliance and friendship with Guyana government in anticipation of his being forced to leave
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United States.
In August of 1977, both Miguel and Lovie de Pina departed with Reverend Jones to Jonestown, Guyana, settlement. De Pina described settlement as a jail in that no one was allowed to defect and return to United States. De Pina advised several attempts made on life of Reverend Jones and Reverend Jones told members that if he were killed that those in Jonestown would either be placed in slavery or would be assassinated by individuals. Reverend Jones told Jonestown members that the only way they could leave Jonestown would be in a box dead. Letters from members in Jonestown sect were edited to indicate Jonestown settlement was comparable to paradise. De Pina states that he became extremely ill as a result of quality of food in Jonestown and approximately one week before assassination of the United States Congressman Leo Ryan was transported by plaintiff Georgetown, Guyana, for hospitalization. Because wife was unable to board plane in time, she failed to join him in Georgetown,
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Guyana.
De Pina advised that he did not learn of massive suicide as well as assassination of Ryan until he was notified by Guyana police.
De Pina denied any involvement of the suicide pact of PT numbers, denied any knowledge of a conspiracy to assassinate Congressman Leo Ryan upon visit to Guyana, denied any knowledge of the acquisition of [or] shipment of weapons to PT members or of any firearms training by PT members in Jonestown. De Pina further denied any knowledge by Reverend Jones or PT members to harm any public officials of the United States by PT members as a result of Reverend Jones’ death or because of belief of the government trying to infiltrate PT.
De Pina was located and transported back to the United States by his grandson, [deleted name] advised during his stay in Guyana he had conversations with members of Guyana Police Department. [Deleted name] indicates that during
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one conversation an unidentified sergeant of Guyana Police Department, who is in charge of search and rescue of suicide victims in Jonestown, indicating to him that upon discovery of Reverend Jones’ body that there was no evidence of a gunshot wound. According to the unidentified sergeant, Reverend Jones was a suicide victim from apparent poisoning.
FD-302’s to follow.
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