[Editor’s note: One of the subjects of this serial whose name is deleted is former Temple member Terri Buford. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type.]
0 090338Z DEC 78
FM FBI WASHINGTON FIELD (89-570) (P)
TO DIRECTOR FBI (89-4286) PRIORITY
FBI LOS ANGELES PRIORITY (LA VIA FBIHQ)
FBI NEW YORK (89-495) PRIORITY (NY VIA FBIHQ)
FBI SEATTLE PRIORITY
FBI SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) PRIORITY (SF VIA FBIHQ)
FBI TAMPA PRIORITY
BT
UNCLAS SECTION 1 OF 2
RYMUR
Re WFO tel to Bureau December 7, 1978, and NT tel to Bureau December 7, 1978.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) advised on December 8, 1978, the correct licensee for ham radio [number deleted] is [name and address deleted], Florida, who also has license [information deleted], Chatham, New Jersey.
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The original tapes in the possession of the FCC will be ready for delivery to the FBI on Monday, December 11, 1978.
Joe Holsinger made the following available to Washington Field on December 8, 1978:
Ryan’s briefcase, which now contains only stationary; two calling cards; one comb; and one dime; eight cassette tapes, which are copies of tape recordings made by William Holsinger in his interviews of People’s Temple (PT) members, including Tim and Grace Stoen, [Debbie] Blakey, Al and Jeannie Mills, Clare Bouquet, and the Olivers (these tapes may already have been furnished the San Francisco Division by William Holsinger); and numerous papers regarding the following: the Houston case, the Stoen case, copies of petitions from the PT (previously obtained from Congressman Ottinger by Washington Field), the Oliver case, Social Security matters, human rights charges, staff research of Guyana, letters to the State Department, notes taken in Guyana, letters taken by Ryan to Guyana from relatives in the United States, San Francisco Police Department (SFP) report of November 19,
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1978, press stories, pro PT letters received by Ryan’s office, copies of PT letters to Ryan just before the trip, information regarding a fundraiser for the PT scheduled for December 2, 1978, copies of statements regarding Jones by public officials and others, and an unpublished story by former National Inquirer reporter Gordon Lindsay.
This material will be reviewed by Washington Field and appropriate leads set forth. It is noted that Gordon Lindsay wanted to coordinate his investigative reporting with the investigation of Ryan, and went with Ryan as far as Georgetown.
Holsinger has indicated his displeasure with the handling of the trip by the USDS [US Department of State] and said that prior to leaving on the trip, Ryan tried to contact the Chief of Mission, [Richard] McCoy, and was told by USDS that McCoy was at military reserve training and will not be available until Ryan’s trip was over. He later determined McCoy was doing reserve training at the Pentagon. Holsinger also indicated displeasure with the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue
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Service (IRS) for not conducting further investigations because of the religious nature of the PT.
Holsinger made available a list which was obtained from Sherwin Harris, whose daughter was killed in Georgetown, which lists the 200 most dangerous members of the PT. The copy available to Holsinger is illegible in places and Harris has the original.
Captain [name deleted], U.S. Navy, Washington Navy Yard, advised on December 8, 1978, [name deleted] had five first cousins and the cousins’ four children who were in Jonestown and longtime members of the PT. They are Patricia Michaleen [Michaeleen] Brady and her children, Georgiann [Georgianne] and Michelle; Marlene Cynthia Fitch; Marleen [Marlene] Diane Wheeler and her children, Jess and Darious [Jeff and Darius]; Christian [Christine] Shannon Bowers; and Ronald Wayne Talley. Christine Bowers married Benjamin F. Bowers in 1975. Reportedly this marriage was arranged by Jones as Christine would receive a $57,000 inheritance if she was married at age 18. After the marriage, the trust was turned over to the PT through the
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courts. The trustee was an aunt, Helen Evans, [address deleted], California, telephone number [deleted], who has records of the transfer and has had contact with the PT, and the reported number two man to Jones. Maureen Fitch’s children were in the custody of the PT because of Maureen’s drug problems and Maureen went back to the PT to be with her children. On occasions, Maureen would leave the PT with her children and representatives of the PT would bring them back to the PT. He talked to Bowers after Christine’s death and Bowers said he had left the church and they had gotten his inheritance too. [Name deleted] telephonically contacted Bowers’ mother [Name and address deleted], Washington, telephone number [deleted], and she denied knowing Christine.
Bowers is employed by [information deleted], and does [information deleted] repair work for the company in California. Bowers was contacted by [Name deleted] at telephone number [deleted].
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[Name deleted], who is a reported drug dealer in the San Francisco area and was imprisoned in Greece for five years on drug charges and recently released. [Name deleted] has been “laying low” since Marleen’s death and arrangements for Marleen’s internment have been made by [Name deleted], Loraine Wheeler, Long Beach, California. [Name deleted] reportedly has been associated with the PT in the past.
On December 8, 1978, [Name deleted], USDS, Task Force, advised Loraine Wheeler was notified on December 5, 1978, regarding Marleen Diane Wheeler at telephone number [deleted].
The following were notified that Laura Reid Johnston would be arriving in WDC (refer to Brooklyn-Queens MRA teletype to Bureau dated December 7, 1978), and that the threat to Senator [John] Stennis as relayed by [name deleted] [Terri Buford] (protect identity) through Mark Lane:
[Name deleted], U/S. Capitol Police, Intelligence Division.
Sgt. [Name deleted], Metropolitan Police Department, WDC, Investigative Services Division.
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