[Editor’s note: Several of the subjects whose names are deleted in this serial are known to the editor, or have been released by FBI in another section of same serial, or included in the serial’s duplicate at Serial 1117. Those notations have been indicated by red type.]
0 070115Z DEC 78
FM BROOKLYN/QUEENS MRA (89-495)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286] IMMEDIATE
MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE
INDIANAPOLIS IMMEDIATE
LAS VEGAS IMMEDIATE
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///ALL FIELD OFFICES VIA FBI HQ///
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UNCLAS
SECTION ONE OF 3 SECTIONS
RYMUR.
Re Butel to San Francisco 12/6/78.
Pan-American Flight 228 arrived at JFK International Airport at 6:50 PM 12/6/78 with seventeen survivors of Jonestown.
Following is a synopsis of interviews of these individuals:
Interview of [name deleted]: Negro male, date of birth [deleted]. Disclosed significance of two code phrases [4 lines cut off, restored by duplicate at Serial 1117] noted by Bureau agents to be recorded and personal notes and correspondence of previous returnees. Each of seventeen returnees asked about the significance of phrases; “give them my love” and “tell them I miss them”. All
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denied any significance attached with the exception of [name deleted] who advised that both phrases furnished to him two to four months ago by Karen Layton and Maria Katsaris, radio operators at Peoples Temple Jonestown and Georgetown.
[name deleted] advised phrase, “give them my love”, meant Reverand [Reverend] Jim Jones would die and “tell them I miss them” was indication for assassination squad to “get the defectors”.
[name deleted] of the opinion that Reverend Jones natural son Steven [Stephan] knew mass suicide would take place well in advance of actual occurrence for following reasons.
According to [name deleted]:
1) On November 16, 1978, Reverend Jim Jones ordered the basketball team back from Georgetown to Jonestown.
2) On November 17, 1978, Steven advised team he would not return to Jonestown under any circumstances. As a result, the team stayed with individual known as “Snake” Guyanese national who operates a karate gym or school in Georgetown. Additionally, on November 16, 1978, Steven Jones was individual who greeted late Congressman Ryan upon his arrival in Georgetown.
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[name deleted] also related that before entire basketball team departed Jonestown November 16 [number crossed out, illegible number substituted], 1978, he observed marked changes in working habits of Jonestown occupants. [name deleted] observed no one working in the field as was usual custom. [name deleted] advised some of the wives of occupants were crying prior to their departure and one individual described as FNU [ first name unknown] “Crenshaw” (phonetic) [Eddie Crenshaw], stated to [name deleted] words to the effect, this is the last time we will see each other alive.
[name deleted] stated his initial position in Georgetown was field and kitchen help but eventually he acquired position [information deleted] for a period of one year.
[name deleted] advised his interpretation of an “angel” were members [of] the security squad who were assigned to get rid of defectors and traders [traitors].
[name deleted] also advised that he and three other members of security force were made offer by Timothy Glen [Glenn] Jones (adopted son of the late Reverend Jim Jones) just prior
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to their departure from Georgetown to United States, an offer of five thousand dollars if they would return to Peoples Temple in San Francisco.
[name deleted] advised he had heard that late Reverend Jones issued instructions to the three Peoples Temple members who were caught leading Jonestown with large sum of money then their only mission was “to survive”.
[name deleted] also states that at a “white knights [night]” meeting, James W. Jones Jr. stated to him, “If I get a hold of James Cobb, (church member who defected in 1977 [year crossed out, substituted with “1973”], [information deleted; supplied by Serial 1117, “and current cooperating government witness)”] I’ll kill him.”
Above appeared during a mass suicide poison drill
[name deleted] contact point given as [address deleted] telephone number [deleted]. This is the residence of his mother.
Interview of [name and identifying information deleted], DOB [deleted]. Denies knowledge of any plan of assassination of government officials or defectors of Peoples Temple church.
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[name deleted] advised commune members free to leave at any time.
[name deleted] did admit that members attempting to escape Jonestown were captured by other commune members and returned to Jonestown clinic where they were hospitalized for treatment by Dr. [Laurence] Schacht. [name deleted] denied specific knowledge of methods of treatment. [name deleted] also denied inhumane conditions at Jonestown saying that most members were very happy there.
Opinion of interviewing agent and corroborated by interviews conducted previously of other returnees, indicates [name deleted] furnished deceptive and evasive answers.
[name deleted] contact point: In care of Walter Baldwin, 146 South West 16 Street, Richmond Indiana telephone number (317) 935-2189.
Interview of Laura Reid Johnston: white female, DOB October 22, 1947 advised worked as a purchaser of Jonestown commune at Georgetown. Denies knowledge of Planning Commission
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and events surrounding assassinations.
Opinion of interviewing agents is that Johnston was evasive and deceptive in responses.
Contact point of Johnston: [information deleted related to mother, Virginia Reid] North West Washington D.C.
Interview of Paul McCann: white male, DOB September 26, 1957. Provided an attorney upon request but refused to be interviewed.
Contact point of McCann, [information deleted], Carpinteria, California.
Interview of [name and identifying information deleted]. Advised was member of security force and basketball team. Advised [name deleted] reported to him that Joe Wilson, Gary Johnson, Mondo Griffith, Danny Motten [Moten], Bob Kice, Billy Oliver participated in the assassination of Congressman Ryan. Advised he will cooperate with FBI investigation into [missing line supplied by Serial 1117: “the activities of the Peoples Temple in San Francisco”]
0 070115Z DEC 78
FM BROOKLYN/QUEENS MRA (89-495)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) IMMEDIATE
MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE
INDIANAPOLIS IMMEDIATE
LAS VEGAS IMMEDIATE
ST. LOUIS IMMEDIATE
SEATTLE IMMEDIATE
BT
UNCLAS
SECTION TWO OF THREE SECTIONS
RYMUR.
Contact point for [name deleted], Peoples Temple headquarters, San Francisco California or rooming house 998 Divisadero Street, San Francisco California.
Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Identified as member of the basketball team and the security force. [name deleted] indicated [information deleted] [that he] was one of Jim Jones’ personal bodyguards. He advised that Jimmy Jones Jr. and [Timothy Glenn Jones] [name deleted in duplicated part of serial] were also bodyguards. [name deleted] would not acknowledge any information regarding the term “Angels,” “hit men,” relocations or future assassinations.
[missing line supplied by Serial 1117: “Contact point for [name and address deleted]”]
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[name deleted], San Francisco, California, [information deleted]
Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Provided no positive information. Contact point for [name and address deleted], Hampton, Virgina 23669, telephone number [deleted], and [deleted information], San Francisco, California, telephone number [deleted].
Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Provided no positive information. Contact point for [name deleted], Richmond California.
Interview of [name deleted], white male, DOB [deleted]. [Information supplied by Serial 1117: “Robert Homer Stroud, white male, DOB December 13, 1957.”] Furnished no information of value.
Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Provided information regarding a cache of drugs in area marked medical barn in Jonestown. Advised
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only Renee Kice, Terry Carter and Annie Moore had access to medical barn. Contact point for [name and address deleted], Los Angeles, California, telephone number [deleted] or [address deleted] Carson City, California.
Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Furnished information concerning personnel:
John Harris, not further identified, as being involved with explosives in Jonestown. Leona Collier Peoples Temple San Francisco in charge of sending members to Jonestown. Marie Lawrence in charge of insecticides at Jonestown.
[Deleted name] furnished names of additional persons of security force in Jonestown as: Amanda [Armondo] Griffith, Chris Cordell, Poncho Johnson, Gregg Watkins, Tony Walker, Patsy Johnson, Rosy Rizero (ph) [phonetic] [Rosie Ruggerio], Bruce and Billy Oliver and Charles Marshall.
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Contact point for [name and address deleted], San Francisco, California, telephone number [deleted] residence of mother [name deleted] [Deloris Wilson].
Interview of Jimmy Warren Jones Jr., Negro male, DOB October 1, 1960. Admitted member of Jonestown security force. Contact point for Jones, Peoples Temple, San Francisco.
Interview of [name deleted] white male, DOB [deleted]. Furnished no information of value. Contact point: [address deleted], Reno, Nevada telephone number [deleted].
Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Refused to answer questions. Contact point [deleted] (mother), [address deleted], St. Louis, Missouri.
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Interview of [name deleted], Negro male, DOB [deleted]. Information supplied by Serial 1117: “Chuck Kirkendole [Kirkendall], Negro male, DOB October 16, 1948.”] Advised Paula Adams has been living with unknown United States Embassy officials on and off in Georgetown Guyana. Recalls delivering package to official United States residence in the Camelville (ph) section of Georgetown approximately October 16, 1978. Advised Lee Ingram as head of security.
Contact point for [Name deleted], [Name deleted] (sister), [address deleted], Oakland, California.
Interview of [name deleted], white male, DOB [deleted]. Advised was member of Peoples Temple since birth. [Name deleted] admitted to being member of security force and carrying rifle, handgun and shotgun at Georgetown. Denies knowing of weapons cache, threats to public officials, contingency plan, and term “Angel”. Furnished names of: Harriet Troop [Tropp], Karen Layton, Maria Katsaris, Wesley Briedenbach, and Michael Prokes as radio operators.
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[Name deleted] afforded polygraph by the United States Secret Service concerning ignorance of “hit squad.” Test results indicated deception by [Name deleted].
Contact point for [Name deleted], [Name deleted] (father), [address deleted], Washington.
Interview of Thomas Charles Beikman, white male, DOB April 27, 1957. Advised lifetime member of Peoples Temple through membership of parents. Beikman denounces Peoples Temple and the late Reverend Jim Jones. Has no plans to contact anyone in San Francisco.
Found in notebook of Beikman were phrases: “tell them I miss them” and “give them my love.” Beikman denies any other meaning to about phrases stating that his father Charles being held by Guyanese authorities for the murder of the Amos family furnished above phrase to him to relate to relatives.
When confronted with alleged to meaning of phrases mentioned above as furnished by returnee [name deleted], Beikman refused to make any further comments.
0 070150Z DEC 78
FM BROOKLYN/QUEENS (89-495)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) IMMEDIATE
MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE
INDIANAPOLIS IMMEDIATE
LAS VEGAS IMMEDIATE
ST. LOUIS IMMEDIATE
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BT
UNCLAS
SECTION THREE OF THREE SECTIONS
RYMUR
Contact point for Beikman, [name and address deleted] [(uncle)], Indiana, telephone number, [deleted].
[Information deleted] [returnees] served with federal grand jury subpoena this date.
FD-302’s to follow.
Leads:
San Francisco at San Francisco, California. Attempt to identify [name and address deleted], San Francisco, California, telephone number [deleted] as several Peoples Temple members named her residence as a contact.
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Caution – armed and dangerous – suicidal tendencies.
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