0 041251Z DEC 78
FM BROOKLYN-QUEENS MRA (89-495)
TO DIRECTOR IMMEDIATE
SAN FRANCISCO IMMEDIATE (VIA FBIHQ)
LOS ANGELES IMMEDIATE (VIA FBIHQ)
BT
UNCLAS E F T O
RYMUR
Re: BQ [Brooklyn Queens] telcall to Bu and San Francisco Dec. 3, 1978.
Following Jonestown Peoples Temple (P. T.) survivors interviewed upon arrival at JFK airport N.Y. Dec. 3-4, 1978:
1.) Following individuals unable to provide positive information:
A) Ruth Neal Johnston, aka Ruby, Negro, female, DOB April 23, 1922. Contact: [name withheld] San Francisco, California.
B) [name withheld] Negro, female, DOB [withheld] contact: [name withheld], SF.
c) [name withheld] Negro, female, DOB [withheld] contact: [name withheld], SF.
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2.) Following individuals provided positive information:
A) [name withheld] Negro, female: contact: [name withheld], SF. [name withheld] advised Rev. Jones claimed to have money and gold and foreign countries including Mexico. Had knowledge of suicide drills and identified a number of P.T. members.
B) [Name withheld], DOB [withheld] identified 19 security personnel known as “Angels”. Identified 27 members of Peoples Temple (P.T.) Planning Commission, most of whom are presently in San Francisco. [Name withheld] advised Rev. Jimmy Jones held regular “White Nights” also called “Alphas” where populace of Jonestown were assembled and asked by Rev. Jones if they were willing to die at “White Night”[.] All members of security force armed with shotguns, rifles, and pistols. Rev. Jones maintained discipline at Jonestown through public humiliation, beatings, and drug sedation. Two nights prior to Congressman Ryan’s arrival “White Night” held, and Rev. Jones said if Ryan came to come he would not leave. [name withheld] understood this to mean that Ryan would be killed, and suicides begin. Rev. Jones often
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threatened that “Angels” would hunt and kill any defectors. (Bureau note: [name withheld] staying at New York to continue debriefing by Buagents.)
C) Leslie Monique Wilson, nee Fortier, black female, DOB Jan. 21, 1957, advised she arrived Jonestown August 1977 and escaped morning of mass suicide. Wilson advised she has no direct knowledge of mass suicide or assassination of Representative Ryan. Wilson was cooperative and provided previously known details regarding inner workings of P. T., including identities of close associates of Rev. Jones. Wilson confirmed existence of quantities of guns (20) at Jonestown. (Bureau note: Wilson advised she will be residing at the residence of [name and address deleted], Tinton Falls, N.J. New York Division agents will recontact her there on Dec. 5, 1978.)
D) Beatrice Alethia, nee Orsot, aka Beatrice Grubbs, DOB Sept. 30, 1926, Negro female plans to live with [name and address deleted], located in South San Francisco, California, telephone number [deleted]. Grubbs is an American citizen with SSAN 255-36-8207.
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Grubbs identified members of the “archery team” (campus club) and indicated that Tom Grubbs (white male, Grubbs husband whose present whereabouts are unknown) was the principle of elementary school and also developed the “box” used to discipline the children. Grubbs identified members of the radio operations at Jonestown and Georgetown.
E) [name deleted] DOB [deleted] arrived in Jonestown in Dec. 1977. Advised she spent two years in Jonestown. [name deleted] stated she spent the last two months Georgetown handling [information deleted] was not aware suicide. However indicated that Jones did ask if everyone would commit suicide for the P.T.
Drugs were used to sedate troublemakers who were apt in the SCU (Special Care Unit). [name deleted] identified members of security unit. [name deleted] contact: Ruby Johnston, address 261 Scott St., San Francisco, California.
F) On Dec. 3, 1978, Susan Cartmel [Suzanne Cartmell], Rev. Jones adopted Korean daughter was interviewed at length and provided detailed information re the origins of P.T. and the activities of Rev.
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Jones and his close associates. (Bureau note: Cartmel will remain at N.Y. and will be further interviewed Dec. 4-5, 1978.
G) Dawn Francine Gardfey, Negro female, DOB May 22, 1963. Contact: Ida King, 241 Scott St., SF. Provided identity of “hit team” and explosive expert Doug Saunders [Sanders].
Investigation continuing at Brooklyn Queens. BQ will provide updated itinerary of survivors when available.
Lead San Francisco at San Francisco: will re interview [name deleted], Ruth Johnston, Beatrice Grubbs, [name deleted], Dawn Gardfreys (supra) and Leslie Wilson. [name deleted] who is presently in Jonestown is [information deleted] when available to San Francisco division.
Will Sutel BQ re the identity and background of [name deleted] SF.
Administrative:
For info of the Bureau and SF. Dawn Gardfrey (supra) advised that Sharon Amos made frequent contacts with Don Ellis [Ellice], U.S. Embassy, Georgetown, Guyana.
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In addition, BQ interviewing agents obtained from three of the survivors, color Polaroid photographs taken at Georgetown, Guyana, as late as Dec. 2, 1978, which included photos of Clifford Gieg, Johnny Cobb, Mark Cordell, and others which will be duplicated and provided to concerned offices.
Susan Cartmel and [name deleted] (supra) are indicating they are willing to incorporate fully and assist the FBI in this matter. However, caution is being taken to avoid a possible compromise by former P.T. members.
BT