Originator: FBI
From: MM
To: HQ
Document date: 04/07/1959
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

124-90110-10101

2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

JFK Assassination System

Date:

Identification Form

Agency Information

6/2/2015

AGENCY:

FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-90110-10101

RECORD SERIES:

HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER:

CR 109-12-223-131

Document Information

ORIGINATOR:

FBI

FROM:

MM

TO: HQ

TITLE :

DATE:

PAGES:

SUBJECTS :

04/07/1959

20

JOSEPH RAYMOND MEROLA

PANAMANIAN REVOUTIONAR YI ACTIVITIES

DOCUMENT TYPE:

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Confidential

RESTRICTIONS: 1B

CURRENT STATUS: Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW:

08/06/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: APPROVAL OF CIA

COMMENTS :

RPT

v9.1

HN 50953

DocId: 32334108

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MM 109-43

SECRET

MC CLAIN was traveling on United States Passport

(5/2085 issued by the United States Embassy, Panama City,

Panama, September 30, 1946. His date of birth was

september 21, 1922, Panama City, Panama. He 18 &

yate male,

• 170 pounds, red hair, grey eyes.

MC CLAIN claimed

he was going to visit his in-laws; Mr. and Mrs. B. J. ADAMS,

star Route 3, Pioe Island, Fort Myero, Fiorida, and stuer

return to Panama City.

On March 19, 1959, JOSEPH MEROLA Imformed that

contact with an intelligence man from

Panama believed staying at the Columbus Hotel. This person

brought MIRO word that his revolutionary plans in Panama

were known and warned him that he would be shot on sight.

MEROLA said that this "Intelligence man" questioned MIRO

concerning MEROLA. MIRO offered to Introduce MEROLA tO hiM,

however, this intelligence man declined to accept.

Investigation disclosed that MC CLAIN checked out

of the Columbus Hotel at 3:05 p.., Easter Standard Time,

MarCh 20, 1959.

At 3:35 poll., Easter Standard Time, JOSEPH MEROLA

Informed he had just received a telephone call from MIRO

stating that he was a the airport departing for Cuba and

Old not plan to return. MIRO disclosed to MEROLA that his

contact at the Columbus Hotel had been interviewed by the

FBI and that both had the feeling they were being followed

and activities checked.

Sit appeared possible to the Mian. Office that

MC CLAIN might be a CIA representative.

Bureau was

requested to contact CIA in attempt to confirm same.

By airtel dated March 22, 1959, the Bureau

It had been ed dated y aA through laleon, that NC CLAIN(5).

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MM 109-43

SECRET

It should be noted that on March 26, 1959, JOSEPH

MEROLA contacted the Miami Office and informed that he was.

Leaving for Havana, Cuba, at 12:45 p.l., Easter Standard

Time, on that date.

It should be noted

that a true bill

of indictment was returned against MEROLA by a Federal

Grand Jury at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, In commection with

the case entitled, "STUART SUTOR, ETAL,

Theft of Government

property," Involving theft of arma from National Guard

Armosy, Canton, Ohio, October 14, 1958. Indictment was

returned on March 20, 1959, and MEROLA i9 presently free

ander $5,000.00 bond

posted

at Miami, Florida.

MEROLA Informed that since March 20, 1959, he has

trad

several telephonic conversations with RUBEN MIro who was

at that time in Havana, Cuba. MIRO had told him the

Plans of the invasion of Panama had been delayed until after

the Easter holidays.

MEROLA stated his purpose in going to Havana i8

personal business reasons and not in any way connected with

Panamanian revolutionary activities or for that matter

revolutionary activities of any nature.

MEROLA stated he would contact the Miami Office

of the FBI upon his return from Havana In order to furnish

any pertinent information regarding the Panamanian political

situation.

He stated, however, he did not know specifically

when he would return.

It should be noted that information furnished by

MEROLA has been on a voluntary and confidential basis.

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