FBI Investigation
Originator: FBI
Document date: 02/07/1968
Document type: Paper

## Page 1

Released under the John F

Cennedy Assassination

Records Collection Act of

1992 (44 USC 2107 Note).

Case#:NW 64954 Date:

11-14-2022

Date

:11/03/98

Page

1

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY : INSCOM/CSF

RECORD NUMBER

:194-10001-10180

RECORDS SERIES : DOD AFFILIATED PERSONNEL AND INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

AGENCY FILE NUMBER : AC678001R-PAGES 1171A-1171GGG, 1172-1173

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR : FBI

FROM :

TITLE FBI INFORMATION

DATE

: 02/07/68

PAGES

: 61

SUBJECTS

: SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY

ALLEGED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE UNIDENTIFIED MIDDLE EAST

RULER

UNKNOWN SUBJECT; PRINCE AHMAD A. AL SAUD - VICTIM

ROLANDO ARCADIO MASFERRER ROJAS

DOMINICAN SITUATION

ALEX WILSON

MITCHELL LIVINGSTON WERBEL, III

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED

RESTRICTIONS : 4

CURRENT STATUS : RELEASED WITH DELETIONS

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 10/08/97

OPENING CRITERIA

:COMPLETION OF REVIEW

BY FBI

COMMENTS

: COORDINATION WITH FBI HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND

DETERMINED TO BE RELEASABLE WITH DELETIONS

DTD 12 FEB 98.

PER MEMO

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## Page 2

6B.525 (A2V 11-25-61)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OI INVESTIGATION

Ine Real, Plese Refer to

File No.

MM 105-6243

Miami,

Florida

20B.2

1089

Title

Character

Reference

SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY

(SNEE)

(OPERATION ALPHA 66)

INTERNAL SACURITY - CUBA

NEOTRALITY MATTER

Memorandun dated and captioned as

above at Miami, Ilorida

All sources (except any listed below) vose identities

are concealed in referenced communication have furnished reliable

information in the past.

with whon insufficent contact has been

had to determine reliability.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

REIN IS UNCLASSIFII

ATEY -2-96 BY,5768540/1051

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

oN 10/8/97 de

I RELEASE IN FULL

• RELEASE IN PART

• TOTAL DENIAL

117 la

This document contains neither recommendations no? conclusions of the Fal!

It is tho proporty

of the FBl and is loaned to your agency: it and its contents are not lo be cotributed outerdo

your agency.

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## Page 3

RE:

ALLEGED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE

UNIDENTIFIED MIDDLE EAST RULER

the victim upon being kidnapped

would then be assassi

nated. Wer Bell further advised that Gray was extremely

cautious in his phone call, in that he would not name

names, places, or other details

surrounding this plot.

Gray requested Wer Bell to furnish this information to

some of those persons employed by the u. S. Government,

with whom Wer Bell has had previous contact so that they

might arrange for Gray to be intervieved promptly.

Wer Bell stated that on the day following

receipt of the phone call from Gray, he furnished this

information telephonically to an acquaintance in Miami,

Florida, who is employed by a Federal Government agency,

which conducts intelligence investigations.

Wer Bell advised that since this initial call

was received from Gray, he has had several additional

telephone conversations, the last being early on the

evening of February 2l, 1967

During this conversation,

Gray expressed concern over his not being contacted to

date by Federal

authorities

and intimated his position

in this matter was "pressing him" "and that if not con-

Wer Bell advised that during the initial cor

versation with Gray, he urged him to report this planned

kidnapping to the Federal Bureau of investigation, how

ever Gray declined to follow this suggestion.

Wer Bell by his own

statements in the past has

indicated an interest in Cuban affairs, the struggle in

the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American matters.

This document contains

neither recommendations

nor conclusions of the FBI.

"It is

the property of the

Fel and is loaned to your agency, it and its contents are

not to be distributed outside your agency.

REVIEWED BY FBI/JFK TASK FORCE

ON 10/8/97 d

11716

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINER

DATE VE.

RELEASE IN FULL

• RELEASE IN PART

• TOTAL DENIAL

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## Page 4

RE: SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY

MM T-1 also made available for examination

envelope which was addressed to "ir.

RON AUGUSTINOVICH,

17 N.W.

5th Su.,

Miami, Florida", which bore the return

address "S. AUGUSTINOVICH, 16833 N. 17th Pl., Phoenix,

Arizona

85022"

MM T-I also made available for examination a

handmitten notebook which he said was the property of

RONALD LEE AUGUSTINOVICH.

axamination of this notebook

revealed the following:

The front cover bore the princed inscription

"I] Frenta,

Alpha 66, Lt. RONALD 'AUGUSTINOVICH"

Inside

the tront cover there appeared the name"ALpHA 66"and

below that the name"MITCHSLL LIVINGSTON

NARES 1T1,

Atlanta-Georgia". Below that appeared

Phoenix,

JIM KARIS".

4p:0. 30x 2727,

The first page of the notebook

Was headed "Class -

Mines;

Booby Traps, Demolitions,

Saturday - Dec. 24

1967"

There folloved three pages

of handprinted notos relating to various types of nines

and booby traps, their use and handling.

Thereafter

the notebook contained handwritten notations relating

to various abbreviations for military use, such as

"AC" to indicate airplane cargo, and "AO"

to indicate

airplane obbervation.

Several pages were devoted to

acralt identification, setting forth vital statistics

concerning the wiG 15, MIG 17,

MIG 19, P-51 Mustang,

A1-o, and the 8-20, Martin Marauder.

The notebock

also contained handwritten outlires on demolitions

and parachute junging.

Along with the notebook was

a loose sheet of paper bearing what is apparently an

excerpt iron the Encyclopedis

Britannica, 1965, Volune I7,

pages 776-750, relating to white phosphorus, its

characteristics

and behavior.

It was noted

that this

material glows in the dack and takes ire spontaneously

upon exposure to air.

MM T-I said that AUGUSTINOVICH had told him that

3

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

DATE 4-2-46 BY 5668-ELD/SP

JFK

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

ON

1018/92 clos

RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

• TOTAL DENIAL!

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## Page 5

RE: SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY

the SNEE has a place

where

all of its arms,

ammunition

and explosives are stored, but he did not disclose the

location at that time.

PROPERTY OF

This document contains neither

recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI.

It is the

property of the rst and is loaned to your agency; it and

Its contents are not to be distributed outside your

agency

4. 7

117 ld

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## Page 6

UNIT

STATES DEPARTMENT OR JUS

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

In Reply.

Fic No.

Pleceo Refer in

MM 105-6243

Miami, Florida

FED 23

+ 1950

RE:

SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY

(SATE)

(OPERATION ALPHA 66)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

NZUTRALITY MATTER

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

DATE 4-2-96 B451(185 CD/KSR.

(JAK)

The SNeE is an anti-CAStRo Cuban revolutionary

organization which naintains its headquarters at 109 s. W.

12th

Avenue,

Miami, Florida.

The mlitary leader of the

SNEE IS ARMANDO FLEITES DIAZ.

On January 29, 1983,

MM I-12

recently arrived in the

person who

miami, Florida,

areas

advised

that he had become acquainted with one RONALD LEB

AUGUSTINOVICE, an American from Phoenis.

Arizona.

AUCUSTINOVICH was then residing at Roon

Tip Top

Hotel, 17 N. W.

5ch Street,, Miami. THe is about 30 yeaze

of age, and clains to be a veteran as veil as a

helicopter pilot.

AUGUSTINOVICh appears to have

considerable knowledge concerning the handling and

operation of explosive devices.

MM I-1 advised that on

January 28, 1968, AUCUSTINOVICH took hin to the oifice

of the SNIS and introduced him to vazious members and

officers of that organization.

On January 30, 1953, 3mi 1-1:

advised that

AUGUSTINOVICH had introduced him on thet date to ARMANDO

FLEITES, Leader of the SNIS.

In conversation with FreiTaS,

it was learned

that the SNFA has been collecting money

the Cuban exiles on the premises that the organization

Will take some type of

military action against the castro

Government in Cuba.

FLATTES

Said

thas in order to justify

accepting this money, the oreanization was going to have

to perform some such action in

the near future;

With this

in mind,

FLAITES remacked that he was now. accepting

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## Page 7

SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY

guidance and

assistance from qualified American personnel

such as AUCUSTINOVICH

Mit 1-l said that AJCUSTINOVICH

is apparently participating in some sort of a military

training progran for the SWE as he had in his possession

a manual concerning demolition devices.

MM. T-1 Said he

had learned that in addition to AuGusTINoVich, other

Americans

connected with the sure include CHARLES STERLE

fron Boston, who recently married a Cuban girl in Miami,

------(last name not recalled), vho is a

walter at Chandler's Restaurant,

Miami Beach.

AUGUSRINOVICE

said that STEaLE is presently in the Dominican Republic,

but he did not reveal the purpose lor STEla's trip.

AUGUSTINOVICH Said that a man named MITCHELL LIVINGSTON

WERBELL, III, O1 Atlanta, Georgia, iS in charge of

making arrangements to ootain necessary arms and

ammunition.

On January 31

•, 1968,

Ml T-l reported that on the

night of january 30, 1968, ARMANDO FLEITES 2nG AUCUSTINOVICH

had a meeting with an unidentified parson from whon they

purchased 1000 rounds of "Western 380 Autonatio" ammunition.

AUGUSTINOVICH. did not reveal lor what purpose this purchase

was made.

AUGUSTINOVICH also mentioned that the sure had

some old type hand grenades which could be filled vith

yellow phosphorus:

MM T-I made available a slip'of paper bearing

the caption

"Traffic Receipt", Form 770 of the Mobil

Chemical Company,

Industrial Chemicals Division, which

bore the date January 10, 1968.

it was indicated on

this {o2m

that ME. RONALD ATGUSTINOVICH with address

shown as Miani, Florida, purchased one 200-pound crum

of "elemental yellow phosphorus" with a net weight of

200 pounds

and

a Gross weight 01 290 pocats.

The

receipt indicated that the material was

"Shipped from:

Charleston, S.C."

Under the caption "Shipped via:"

it was indicated that the material had been picked up

in "customer's truck"

This receipt was stamped as

follows:

"Dangesous Articles" and "Dangerous Placards

Applied"

The receipt was signed "RONALD LEE AUGUSTINOVICH"

2

117 if

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## Page 8

:

pa.

CONFIDENTIAL

Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence

are the subject of current investigation by the Bureau of

Customs, Department of the Treasury.

The Federal Bureau of

Investigation (FBI) is conducting no investigation in this

regard but is maintaining close liaison with the Bureau of

Customs and is furnishing promptly to that Bureau all pertinent

information obtained.

REVIEWED BY FBI/JFK TASK FORCE:

ON 10/8|97 do

I RELEASE IN FULL

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• TOTAL DENIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

EXCLUDED FROM CONTRAL

DECLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE

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## Page 9

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Los Angeles, California

February 24,

11957

In Reply: Please Refer o

File No.

UNKNOWN SUBJECT

PRINCE ARMADA AL SAUD - VICTIM

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR,

RELEASE OF CIA INFORMATION

IN THIS DOCUMENT.

KP 11518 SID/KSC

31-2298 (JFK)

redera: Goveriment Agency which conducts Intelligence

Investigations advised the Federal Bureau of Investigatiom

Washington, D.C. that on February 20, 1967 Mitchell/Wer Bell!

of Powder Springs, Georgia, had advised that Chesterydrey)

had recently mentioned to Bell that he,

Grey, hao

been approched to participate in an assassination of an

unidentified midale east ruler or member of his family.

Bell claimes, he had unged crey to cepont this to the rar buc

Grey refused

Government Agencies conducting Intelligence

investigations have deseribed Bellas unreliable, a "wild man"

name droppers

ofunsa vory reputation, who lives by his wits.

fast/dealing and, smooth talking .

Grey has furnished information to

the FBI in the past which has been both reliable and unreliable.

On February 22,

1967, Bell was interviewed by FBI.

Acents to Powder Springs;

Georgia.

He advised he has had contacts

with Grey in the past and on the evening of either February 17

0718, 1907 Grey telephonically advised him that he, Grey,

had been contacted by persons (he did not identity) for the

purpose

oisparsicipating ina lot to kidnap either the son or

brothes of a political ligure in a middle eastern country.

Belt was of the opinion the country had large resources from

drey had also mentioned to Bell that the person, to be

stanapped either resides in the united scates or is visiting

and the altesed, plot.is to be implemented within ten doys:

Oney also stated that the conspirators plan to kidnep the victim

And Caer des tred Bell to furnish these facts to any Government

concedes, chat, de, Bell

" may have so Grey would subsequency oc

contacted by these Governmentl contaots i

Bell advised he

Furnished

raisinformation the following day to

Noney hendling Intel Vigence, Investigations and located in

12902,

Since then Bell recelved

several additional

rea deey probably from California,

and Crey inquired when

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

EREIN IS UNCLASSINE

1171h

TFK

This memo hand carried by Bob Hayes 5-14-69

to replace LA FBI report of the same date

(follows next) •

cmk

REVIEWED BY FBMJFK TASK FUKUL

ON

1-23.98 dal

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TOTAL DENIAL

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## Page 10

UNINOWN SUBJECTS

PRINCE ARMAD A. AT SAUD

VICTIM

he could expect to be contacted. Bell is last contact with

Grey was the evenins of february 21, 1967-

At that time

Grey stated he is in a bindland wiin contact local authorities

on February 23, 196711 the Federal people failed to contact

him before thens

Bell urged Grey to becautious in phone

conversations and ald nou turnish any names ot individuals or

countries involved in the telephone conversation.

On February 22, 1967 Chesten Grey was interviewed

by TEl Agents in Los Angeles:

At Chat time Grey alleged the

WEI owed him money for services as an intomantanand claimed

he should be paid for, past expenses: He added chat he would

furnish no information unless paid on a 0.0 DO basis.

then claimed that he had been contacted approximately one

weck ago by an individual be refused to identify and approached

to participate in a plot to kidnap an un-named relative of an

unknown'

middle east ruler. No definite dates were known for

this alleged kidnaping, and be refused to furnish further

informacion since

"the FBi would then know as much as I do

and would have no further use for me"

• He stated if the MBI

oid not destreito pay him for this infornation and to follow

tip on this matter, he would then furnish information to

interested Jocal authorities on February 23, 196%

The

Interviow, was, terminated at this point

The FBT does not owe drey any money foe services or

expenses

On Februacy 23/ 19672

the BIs Washington,

advised by the united States State Deparument,

Washington, D.C.

that Grey was reponting to the dos Angeles FBI Offico an alleged

Kidnaping plot involving

"Ibn saud" brother of king Fisal of

Saudi Arebia, presently attending the university of Redlands,

Redlands, California.

Investigation as Redlands

california, desermingd

that Abmad A. Al/ saud is presently astending the University of

Redlands,

Redlands:

calliotnia, and restaes

at 1300 West Palms

hedlands,

Caltfounda.onaisted

telephone number 793-1078

11719

2

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## Page 11

UNKNOWN, SUBJECTE

PRINCE: AHMAD A AT SAUD

VIONIM

He resides ao chis residence with his wife,

two children. and

two mazes.

He has been a nesident, of hed)ands.,

California

for

three years:

5200020n99 saud, borne 194161s a half

brother of king raisay All Saud, of Saudi Arabia:

On February: 23,

Dean pa students, university of Redlands, chief of Police

scan eye noBowans healands Police Deparcmeno, were advised

othe unsuostanciated/allegationgregarding the above marter-

A11. were advised of the 31's jurisdiction andyche ract the

IBE could not offer protection. " Chief of Police Bowan advised:

Prince A1 Saud that the Redlands. Police Department was using the

cruising patrols in che area of Prince Al Saud is residence

and would be alert to any suspicious activity do the neighborhood.

On nebruary: 24 19672

Hibbard, Lamkin,

Chiet of

Securicy, Unitea States State Department, was adyised or the

above information

In la document contains neither recommendations nor

conclusions of the Blate is the propecty of the rsT

and is loaned to your agency it and its contents are notito

be distetbuted outside your agency

1175

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## Page 12

In Reply, Please Refer 10

File No.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Los Angeles,

California

February 24, 1967

ALLEGED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE

UNIDENTIFIED MIDDLE EAST RULER

On February 22, 1967. Chester Gray also known as

Chester Zochowski, 324 North Oakhurst Drive, Beverly Hills

california, was interviewed by Special Agents of the FBI at

Jay's Coffee Shop, corner of Highland Avenue ana santa Monica

Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Gray stated that he was contacted about one week ago

by an individual whom he refused to further identify and was

approached to participate in a plot to kidnap an un-named

relative of a well known Middle bast ruler.

He said his con

tact with this individual had been insufficient for him to

have knowledge as to the date for this planned kidnapping.

Gray refused to furnish any further details

regarding

this alleged kidnapping ploi and stated as his reason,

Bureau would then know as much as I do and would have no fur-

ther use for me!"

He was adamant on this point. He steadfastly

refused to identify the Middle East ruler.

Gray stated that if the FBI did not desire to pay him

money for this information now and agree to pay him on a

"COD

basis"

for his efforts to follow up on this matter, he would

then furnish information regarding the kidnap plot to

"inter-

ested local authorities":

on February 23, 1957:

This document contains neither recommendations nor

conclusions of the FBI.

It is the property of the FBI and is

loaned

to your agency; it and its contents are not to be dis-

tributed outside your agency.

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFTE

REVIEWED BY FBI/JFK TASK FORCE

ON

10/8/97 d

RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

- 1* -

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## Page 13

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Atlanta, Georgia

February 28, 1967

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No..

ALLEGED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE

UNIDENTIFIED MIDDLE EAST RULER

On February 21, 1967, Mr. William Hughes, Cus-

toms Agent, U. S. Bureau

of Customs for Georgia, Savannah,

Georgia, was contacted and advised of the contemplated

contact

and interview of one Mitchell Wer Bell, Powder

Springs, Georgia, who may or may not be of interest to

the Customs authorities.

Mr. Hughes interposed no objec

tion to this contact.

On February 21, 1967,

Mr. Mitchell L. Wer Bell, III,

Dallas Road.

Powder Springs, Georgia, was interviewed at

rhich time he advised in the past he has met and had some

contact with a person known to him as Chet Gray, who resides

at 324 North Oakhurst Drive

has telephone number 213-274-4922.

Beverly hills,

California, and

Wer Bell advised his

initial

contacts with Gray related primarily to Latin Amer

ica or the Caribbean area affairs of the recent past

Wer Bell advised that on

the evening of either

February I7,

or February 18, 1967,

he was teleyhonically

contacted in Powder Springs,

Georgia,

by Chet Gray, osten

sibly from California:

On this occasion Gray stated he

had been contacted by persons, not otherwise identified

by Gray,

to participate in a plot to kidnap either the

son or brother of a prominent political figure of a Middle

Eastern country.

According to Ver Bell, Gray did not

identify the victim further by the name of individual,

and neither did he identify the Middle Eastern country

other than to describe it as a country having large oil

resources:

Wer Bell did not know whether the victim was

now residing in the United States or whether he was visitina

or proposed to visit in the near future in the United States.

Wer Bell advised that as a result of this phone

conversation,

he concluded the plot was to be implemented

within ten days of receipt of phone call, and further that

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11/ 1L

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

EREIN IS UNCLASSIFII

ATE 4-1-96 3r 5706<510/154

TAR)

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## Page 14

UN

In Reply, Please Refer 1o3

File No.

ED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

ISTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

New York

2o, 18t6

Rolando Arcadio Masferrer Rojas

Internal Security - Haiti

Registration Act - Haiti - Cuba

Neutrality Matters

N I-t, who has furnished reliable information

in the past, advised on October 13, 1966, that Rolando

Nasierces was currently in Miami, Florida, and continuing his

preparation for an alleged invasion of Haiti. NY I-I stated

chat the proposed filming of Masferrer's preparations by the

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS, have been completed with

the exception of the transier of the military equipment from

the Miami area to a boat which would take the weapons and

some pérsonnel to the Dominican Republic.

I-l advised that closely associated with Rolando

Masiercer in the Miami area are his brother, Rodolfo "Kiki"

Masterrer and his cousin, Antonio Rojas Masferrer. NY I-I

stated that Masferrer's support comes from a certain segment

of the Cuban exiles in the Miami area who were formerly

members of Brigade 2506 which participated in the invasion

of Cuba in April, 1961.

NY I-l advised that from the Haitian position,

Masferrer's support comes from the group headed by father

Jean Baptiste Georges. NY I-I also stated that closely

connected with Rolando Masferrer in the New York area with

his plans to invade Haiti are two Cuban exile Roman Catholic

Priests, namely, Reverend Diego Madrigal and Reverend Manuel

Aavingston

MCT-1 stated on October 13, 1966, that Mitchell

Wer Bell III, who is commonly known as "Witch"

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• TOTAL DENIAL

1171m

ALL INFOR

(TAiNGU

DATE -2.4KTY 57.0850/KSR

JFK)

This document contains neither recommendations

nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of

Investigation.

It is the property of the

Federa) Bureau of Investigation and is loaned

to your agency, it and its contents are not

to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 64954

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## Page 15

Rolando Arcadio Masierrer Rojas

is still connected with Masferrer's plans to overthrow

natti and continues to be an important link in

the whole

operation due to his alleged

"good connections" in the

Dominican Republic. NY I-l said that Wer Bell has not made

any personal contact with individuals in the Dominican

Republic to obtain a base from which Masferrer could

initiate his invasion of Haiti.

NY T-] stated that Wer

sell has sent Ricardo Adolis Cobos, a Cuban exile from Miami

to santo Domingo but that the trips

made by Cobos were for

personal business reasons for Wer Bell.

NY I'-1 siated that

Wer Bell is very nuch interested in talking to the Dominican

Government about the possibility of his taking over the San

cristobal factory for the manufacturing of weapons.

NY T-1

stated that on the last trip of cobos to the Dominican

Republic Cobos carried with him 12 gyrojet rocket hand guns

to be given out to influential people in the Dominican

Government in order to pave the way for Wer Bell!s attempt

to take over the operation of the San Cristobal factory.

NY T-I stated that on this trio Cobos was arrested by

Dominican authorities at the airport for carrying these

guns into the country.

It was the opinion of NY I-l that

the matter has been completely straightened out with the

Dominican Government concerning the arrest of cobos.

NY T-1 advised on October 13, 1966

that during

the previous. week Mitchell Wer Bell had visited New York

and,during this visit to New York Ny I-1 introduced Wer

Sell to General Leon Cantave and Louis Justin Elie both

natian exiles residing in New York City.

NY T-1 stated

Pet General Cantave is in no way connected with the planned

avasion of Haiti by Masierrer but that Cantave would be

willing to assist if anything concrete would be developed

-erative to Haiti. NY I-l also stated on October 13, 1966,

thas in a conversation with Louis Justin Elie, Elie informea

nin chat he, Elie, had contacted his cousin, Andre Elie,

we Martian Consul General in New York, and had asked his

cousin to see if President Francois Duvalier could put him,

tows Justin Elie, on the pay roll of the Haitian Government

NY T-l further advised that recently Masferrer's

Sieup had come across a racht in the Miami

-area in

which

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## Page 16

Rolando

Arcadio Masferrer Rojas

Masferrer expressed great interest. NY T-l stated that

this boat in which Masferrer was interested was a 57 foot

yacht called the "Poor Richard" which belonged to Richard

harvey or Miami, Florada.

NY T-l described Richard Harvey

as a former wealthy individual who has fallen on hara times

and who was delinquent in his payments on his boat. Due to

lack of funds; Harvey had dismissed the captain and his crew

from this boat and the total indebtedness owed' on the boat

by Harvey is $6,500.

NY T-l stated that Masferrer requested

that CBSo pay up the notes due on this boat and make this

boat available for Masferrer's plans to invade Haiti.

stated that CBS

declined to make any payment and refused

to get involved in this matter.

NY T-1 further identified Richard Harvey, mentioned

above,

as the owner of a chain of hot dog stands in Florida

called "Poor Richard's

NY T-1 also advisea on Octöber i3, 1966, that he

was very skeptical of the completion of Masferrer's plans

to invade Haiti. NY T-l stated it was his personal belief

that there would be no invasion of Haiti as Masferrer lacks

the necessary transportation and most important, the necessary

funds. NY T-l stated that it was his conviction that in

order to successfully invade Haiti the mininum sum required

for such

an operation would be $50,000. NY I-I stated that

Masferrer and his associates do not have this amount of money

nor do they have sources to whom they can go to to get it.

NY T-I stated that he was also concernea about this

alleged invasion of Haiti due to the activities of Mitchell

Wer Bell.

NY T-I stated that Wer Bell is a very heavy drinker

and when he gets drunk he becomes an obnoxious individual and

already que to his heavy drinking there have been several

Tights

and nisunderstandings between Wer Bell and Masferrer.

NY I-I also said that closely connected with Mitchell

Wer Bell is one Ralph Serrano (Phonetic) who is a Dominican

residing in Miami Beach who goes under

the name of Bill Baird

(Proacule) when he is in the miami area. NY I-I stated that

11710

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## Page 17

Rolando Arcadio Masferrer Rojas

Serrano is always short of funds and he would not be above

selling information concerningMasferrer's activities and

plans to the Haitian Government representatives in the

United States.

NY T-I stated that another indiviqual closely

connected vith Wer Bell is an American whom he knows only

by the name Chet Gray. NY I-l stated that he has seen Gray

in Miami on two occasions and has seen him once in New York.

Ny T-l stated that it was his impression that Gray may be

working for the Haitian Government supplyinginfornation to

Haiti.

NY T-I advised on October I3, 1966, that CBS conducted

interviews in New York of Haitian exiles which would be used

by CBS in its projected film of an invasion of Haiti. NY I-I

stated thoseinterviewed in New York were General Leon Cantave

and Louis

Justin Elie on one occasion, and on another occasion,

Father Jean Baptiste Georges and his military leader, Colonel

Rene Leon.

NY T-1 stated that CBS has completed as much. of

theix film work as they can and that all the film which has

been completed is being maintained by CBS in their film

library for future use in the event there is an invasion

of Haiti and an overthrow of the lovernment of President

Francois Duvalier.

117 1p

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## Page 18

UI

ED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Miami,

Florida

September 14, 1966

STICE

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

RE:

ROLANDO ARCADIO MASFERRER ROJAS

INTERNAL SECURITY - HAITI - CUBA

RESISTRATION ACT - HATTI - CUBA

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

DOMINICAN SITUATION

INTERNAL SECURITY • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

It was previously réported on September 7, 1966, that

an informant advised that ROLANDO ARCADIO MASFERRER ROJAS,

former Cuban Senator

and notorious Cuban exile currently

residing in the New Yock area, had been recently in the Miami

area and had been cooperating with the Columbia Broadcasting

System (CBS) in filming à documentary relative to a possible

invasion of Hsiti. It was reported that this CBs documentary

film was in two ports, the first of maich had been already

and the second was to record the transter or weapons

from the Miami ares by boat to y larger ship at sex for delivery

to the Dominican Republic and then to a base in the Dominican

Republic from which the invasion against haiti would be

reportedly launched.

It was reported that a key member of

this plan was MITCHELL WER BELL, Ill, from Atlanta, Georgi,

whose importance to this operation stenned fron his high

contacts in the Dominican Repablic.

WER BEll was to make

trip to the Dominican Republic in Septeuber, 1956, in order to

talk with Commodore (first name unknown) JIVENEZ Of the Dominican

Navy, who, VER BElL indicated, was a "close friend" and had

offered facilities to WEE BELt for the proposed invasion of

Haiti.

It was also reported that WER BeLL stated this invasion

of Haiti had been discussed with President JOAQUIN BALAGER OL

the Dominican Republic and that BALaQUEe was "willing to aasist."

It was reported that WER BELt was the key man in this entire

operation because if he failed to obtain the necessary Lacillties

in the Dominican Republic through Commodore JIMENEL, the whole

plan of MASFERRER would be terminated.

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

1171g

DECLASSIFIED BY 5668 SID /GER

on 10/8191 cor

ON ..

8-27-96

RELEASE IN FULL

JFiC)

PELEASE IN PART

EXCL

Dowaga

300 d

lutonatic

assilication

O. TOTAL DENIAL

3btet

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Docld:34517452 Page 18

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## Page 19

ROLANDO ARCADIO MASFERRER

F600 AS

DOMINICAN SITUATION

On September 12,

1966,

MM TA,

who is closely

associated with RICARDO ADOLIS COBOS Y RICARDO, & Cuban

in Miam, furnished the following Information as gleaued fron

COBOS:

COBOS has advised that MITCHELL HER BEL haS nO

important contacts in the Dominican Republic and 15 not

personally acquainted with Commodore RAMON EMILIO JIMENEZ, Chiet

the Dominican Navy, who is a close friend of COBOS.

WER BELS,

in fact, was recently declared persons non grata in the Doninican

Republic and was refused a visa to enter the Dominican Republic

in September, 1966. WER BEL is depending solely on COBOS as

and the matter has not yet been broached with Commodore FIMENEZ,

21though COBOS made two tripo to the Dominican Republic in

August and September, 1965, In WEN BEL's behalf, during one

which COBOS held a thirty minute personal conversation with

President BALAGUER.

These trips concerned only WER BEL's efforts

to establish a factory in the Dominican Republic for the manu

lacture of a hand weapon known as the Gyrojet Rocket Hand Gua

developed by M B Associates, San Panon, California, for which

WER BEL bolds the Latin American franchise.

COBOS' discussion with President BALAGUER waS contined

to the possibility of establishing such an enterprise in the

Dominican Republic and no mention was made of MASFERRER Or

his proposed invasion of Haiti.

COBOS is certain that President

BALAGUER has not been contacted regarding this matter and that

he would never entertain the idea of using the Dominican Republic

as a base for invasion of another Latiu Anerican country during

these initial and trying

stages of his new government.

According to information furnished to Mi I-I by COBOS,

COBOS was in personal contact with WER BEL on September 8 and 9,

at which time WER BEL stated the second phase of this plan

106o the invasion of haiti would be begun during the followins

week in Miami.

The boat to be used in transporting the firearms

from Miami to

the Dominican Republic is a 75 loot sailboat, the

"Poor Richard," currently docked at Dinner Key in Miami

EiL indicated

this bost would pe povod some time during the week

2

NV 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 19

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## Page 20

RE:

ROLANDO ARCADIO MASFEARER ROJAS

DOMINICAN SITUATION

01 reptember 12-10,

1956,

So korth Key Lacgo, from where it will

subsequently depart for

the dominican Republic.

WER BEL BISO

indicated

that the entire CBS cres would travel to Miami from

New York by plane on September 18, 1965.

MASTERRER and WER BEL

will also travel to Miami

and will bring $10,000 to $50,000 worth

of firearms to be used in this tilming. The nethod of trans

portirg the firearms to Miant was not mentioned to the source

by COlOS, however, Cobos indicated some of the group will travel

by car from WER BEL's home in Powder Springs, Georgia, wbich

car will be pulling a Boston thaler boat equipped with a 90

horsepower Mercury outboard engine:

Thỉs

boat has no markings

or name.

COBOS indicated to the source that this boat will not

leave Miami until he has secured permission of Commodore IMENEZ

to store the firearms at Hainal Naval Base in the Dominican

Republic. COBOS indicated that he anticipates that WER BEL

will ask him to travel to the Dominican Republic for this

puxpose some time during the week of september 12, 1965. COBOS

also indicated to the source that even i1 permission is obtained

trom Commodore dininor to store the irearms at this base and

they eventually arrive there, in his optaion the operation

stop at this point inasnuch as Commodore JIMENEL will never

permit the lirearms to be removed from the Dominican Republic.

This document contains neither reconmendations

conclusions of the FBI. It is

:401

the property of the fBI and is

looned to your agency, it and its contents are not to be

distributed outside your agency.

st f

117IS

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## Page 21

FD-323 (Rev. 11-29-61),

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTICATION

Mieni, Florida

September 14, 1966

In Replyo Please Refer to

File No.

Title

ROLANDO ARCADIO MASFERRER ROJAS

Character

Reference

INTERNAL SECURITY • HAITI • CUBA

REGISTRATION ACT - HAITI - CUBA

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

Memorandun dated and captioned

₴S

&bove

at Miant, Florida

All sources (except any lIsted below) whose identities

are concealed in referenced communication have furished reliable

infomation in the past.

1171

This document conteins netther racommendations nor conclusiond of the FBi.

it is the proporty

o! tho FBl and la loaned to your agancy: 1t and lis contents are not to be dieiributod outside

your agency.

NW/ 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 21

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## Page 22

UNIT

STATES DEPARTMENT OF

STICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

Miami

Florida

SEP 1 2 1955

DECLASSIFIED BY

0N 54 46(TFK.)

5668 S10/1SR

RE:

DOMINICAN SITUATION

INTERNAL SECURITY - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

On September 5g 1966, MM T-I, who is described

as a close associate of RICARDO ADOLIS COBOS Y RICARDO,

Cuban exile currently residing in Miami, Florida, furnished

the following information:

COBOS has been recently engaged in a business

venture in the Dominican Republic with MITCHELL L• WER BEL, III.

also known as Alex Wilson, Powder Springs, Georgia, an

American adventurer who has long been interested in Latin®

American affairs. WER BEL Is employed by Point-O-Sale,

InC os

Powder Springs, Georgia, and holds

the Latin American

franchise for sale of a hand weapon known as the Gyrojet

Rocket Handgun, manufactured by MBA Assoclates, San Ramon,

California.

In July, 1966, in an attempt to interest the

Dominican military in the purchase of this weapon, WER BEL

commissioned COBOS, who is well acquainted with key Dominican

military officers,

to travel with him to the Dominican

Republic to introduce him to these officers anô to act as

his interpreter; since WER BEL's knowledge of Spanish is

limited. Also scheduled to make this trip was a wealthy

friend of WER BEL'S, DI. LAWRENCE MITCHElL, a veterinarian

from Atlanta, Georgia, with interests in the Dominican

Republic, who planned

to attempt to sell some chemical

chicken feed co the Dominican Government

According to information furnished to MM T-1 by

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

+ ON

10/8/97 clos

C RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

Grou

Excl

dec

assi

from automatic

u8 anu

cation

117 1u

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## Page 23

RL:

DOMINICAN SITUATION

COBOS,

COBOS traveled to the Dominican Republic on

July 20,

1966, and returned to Miami,

Florida, on

August 14, 1966. His airplane ticket, and presumably

his expenses, were paid by WER BEl. COBOS traveled

alone inasmuch as WER BEI and Dr. MITCHELL had not been

successful in obtaining visas to enter the Dominican

Republic.

*.

Upon arriving in the Diminican Republic,

COBOS contacted Commodore RAMON MILIO JIMENEZ, Chief of

Staff of the Dominican Navy, and receivea permission to

enter

the Hainai Naval Base

to inventory equipment which

originally belonged to the anti-CASTRo organization, the

Junta Revolucionaria (JURE), when this organization

had a

base in the Dominican Republic.

Responsibility for these

arms had rested with JOSE RABEL, former Captain of the

JURE boat,

"Venus"

, until RABEL was captured in an attempt

infiltrate into Cuba.

Thereafter, COBOS was technically

responsible for this equipment.

His apparent purpose in

conducting this inventory was to assure himself the arms

were still being held intact by the Dominican military.

COBOS indicated to MM T-I that this inventory

determined that this equipment consisted of.50 caliber

machine guns, a recoilless cannon, numérous small arms;

and

ammunition, estimated value $8,000.00 to $10,000.00.

COBOS subsequently determined that MITCHELL

WER BEL would not join him in the Dominican Republic

inasmuch

as he haa been refused a visa, this refusal

being based, in part, on a complaint by

one STEPHANY,

omer of a small shipping company nich operates boats

between Miami and Santo Domingo,

the nature of the complaint

unknown to the source:

Also possibly affecting this

2.

1171V

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## Page 24

RE :

DOMINICAN SITUATION

decision was the fact that wER BEL when previously in the

Dominican Republic was

somehow involved in an automobile

accident in which a small boy was injured. Additionally,

WER BEL had previously given a bad check in the amount of

$5,000.00 €0 FRANK BERMUDEZ, Dominican millionaire and

President of J. Armando Bermudez Company, a rum distillery,

although COBOS indicated to the source that this check was

still being held by BERMUDEZ and had not been reported to

the Dominican authorities.

Through contact with Commodore JIMENEZ, COBOS

was

successiul in having this restriction removed and having

a visa issued for WER BEL to enter the Dominican Republic

for the purpose of conducting business there.

After having

the way paved by a telephone call from Commodore JIMENEZ,

COBOS personally contacted Mr. BOBADILTA, head of the

Dominican Visa Office, and had WER BEL's visa application

and had To Bet ve

approved and mailed to the Dominican Consulate in Miami.

DI. LAWRENCE MITCHELL arrived in the Dominican

Republic on

August 4, 1966, and joined COBOS.

On August 6,

1966, COBOS

and Dr.

MITCHELL traveled to Santlago where they

met a business associate of MITCHELL'S named EDMUNDO VALIE.

MITCHELL and VALLE had been in the banana business but were

planning to attempt to develop a peanut oil refinery in

Santiago. MITCHELL and COBOS spent the day examining an

ofl refinery that MITCHELI expects

to lease for this business

venture.

On the following day, MITCHELL and COBOS visited

FRANK BERMUDEZ, previously describea, whom COBOS describec

to MM T-l as a

long-time friend. BERMUDEZ discussed several

business propositions with COBOS, including the possiblity

that he would purchase a farm for COBOS to operate and also

117 1w

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Docld:34517452 Page 24

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## Page 25

RE: DOMINICAN SITUATION

the possibility that he would purchase the "Venus" which

would be outfittea for commercial use by COBoS.

COBOS subsequently Introduced MITCHELL to Commodore

JIMENEZ,

and at this time advised JIMENEZ that JOSE RABEL had

borrowed $11,000.00 from Dr. MITCHELL which he had used to

repair the "venus",

, purchase arms and™

gasoline. RABEL, had

not repaid this money when he was captured in Cuba, and COBOS

reportedly advised the Commodore he was relinquishing control

of these arms to Dr. MITCHELL in order to satisfy this

obligation on

i the part of RABEL.

GOBOS did not indicate to

the source that he was aware of

any agreement reached by Dr.

MITCHELL and Commodore JIMENEZ as to disposition of these

arms other chan that Dr. MITCHELL indicated he was not

interested in physical possession of the arms but only wanted

to sell them to recover his money.

Following COBOS' return to Miami, Florida, he was

commissioned by the American Engineering and Supply Company,

Miami,

to again travel to the Dominican Republic in an

attempt to promote business with the Dominican Government.

This company formerly supplied uniforms and equipment,

except firearms.

to the Dominican Navy.

Although COBOS

was noi paid for these services,

the company offered to

furnish his

round-trip transportation and agreed to give

him a percentage of all business he developed in the

Dominican Republic.

COBOS also indicated he planned to take advantage

of this opportunity to assist MITCHELL, WER BEL In establishing

a business there asiwell as to obtain a factory site for the

production of the Gyrojet Rocket Handgun.

COBOS departed

Miami for Santo Domingo on August 29, 1966, and returned to

Miami on September 3, 1966.

In the Dominican Republic, COBOS first contacted

1171X

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Docld:34517452 Page 25

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## Page 26

RE: DOMINICAN SITUATION

Commodore JIMENEZ and determined the Dominican Navy had

no need for supplies at the present time

from the American

Engineering and Supply Company.

COBOS then contacted General DE LOS SANTOS

CESPEDES, former Chief of the Dominican Air Force, regarding

the Gyrojet Rocket Handgun and through him was placed in

contact with EMILIO PEREZ Y PEREZ, Dominican Minister of

the Armed

Forces.

PEREZ Y PErEZ contacted President

JOAQUIN BALAGUER, who indicated interest in the weapon

and its production in the Dominican Republic. At President

BALAGUER's request,

COBOS went to his office

and discussed

the matter with him.

President BALAGUER requested samples

of the gun and was told that COBOS did not bring

samples

because of the restrictions by Dominican customs.

President

BALAGUER instructed COBOS on his next trip to the Dominican

Republic to bring samples of this weapon appropriately

wrapped and labeled, and to telephone from Miami prior to

his departing in order that General DE LOS SANTOS CESPEDES

could meet him at the airport and escort him through customs:

President BALAGUER stated he would be interested

in the establishment of such a factory within the Dominican

factory could also manufacture ammuni-

tion for conventional weapons. He set forth the following

eight points regarding production which he must have

answered prior to further negotiations in this regard:

1. Daily production

2. Weekly production

3. Monthly production

4. Type of weapon to be produced

1171y

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Docld:34517452 Page 26

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## Page 27

RE: DOMINICAN SITUATION

5. Number of employees to be engaged

6.

Ability to produce ammunition for

conventional weapons

7. Salary of workers

8. Willingness to sign contract for at leasc

ten years

COBOS indicated to the source that he was subsequently

taken on a tour of a large factory located at San Cristobal,

about twenty kilometers from Santo Domingo, which factory is

currently engaged in production of wire-fencing.

He was told

this factory would be

made available to his company if this

business venture is approved.

COBOS expressed the private

opinion to the informant that this factory is much larger

than expecied by MBA Associates, and he felt they would be

unable to handle the volume

anticipated by President BALAGUER.

COBOS. Indicated to the source that he was scheduled

to meet with MITCHELL WER BEL and the President of MEA

Assoclates, name unknown to the source,

on Thursday and Friday, September S and o, 1962, to dogsa

this business venture

and to present the eight points outlined

by President BALAGUER.

MM T-1 made avallable a brochure describing the

Gyrojet Rocket Handgun, which brochure follows:

1171Z

6

NWV 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 27

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## Page 28

REVOLUTIONARY NEW

MBA

GYROJET

ROCKET

HANDGUN

MBA

MBA GYROJET ROCKETS

Gyrojat Rockets are ignited by means of a

orcussion primer contained in the nozzle.

the propollant is a solid grain in the form of

hollow cylinder. Total burning time for the

3mm Gyrojet Rocket is 0.12 seconds, and

jurnout velocity is 1250 feet per second.

linetic energy on target is almost twice that

í the ventional Caliber 45 bullet.

Accurate flight of the Gyrojet Rocket is

btained by gyroscopic stabilization induced

Hy several canted ports in the nozzle. It has

n efrective range of several hundred yards.

The case

and nozzle of the Gyrojet are

¿hade of steel. Rockets are sealed against

"sumidity and work reliably at extreme tem-

Seratures, under arctic or tropic conditions.

& However, like conventional small arms am-

inunition, Gyrojets should not be stored

for long

periods at temperatures exceeding

$120°F.

CALIBER 13MM GYROJET ROCKET HANDGUN

MBASSOCIATES

SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA

MBL

COIAPARISONN of damage samples shows that

Whereas a conventional Cal. 45 bullet merely dis.

¡oried ine metal, a is mm Gyrojer sired under iden:

lical conditions has punched through the farget.

117 lađ

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Docld:34517452 Page 28

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## Page 29

GYROJET

ROCKET

HANDGUN

The MBA Gyrojet Rocket Handgun was

developed as a result of many breakthroughs

and innovations produced by MBA's pioneer-

ing scientists and engineers in the challeng-

ing new technology of miniature rocketry.

This highly versatile system is based upon the

Gyrojet, a high velocity, spin-stabilized rocket

with revolutionary advantages over conven-

tional ammunition.

Because Gyrojet Rockets exert so littfe re-

coll (the 13mm Gyrojet Handgun has approxi.

MBA GYROJETS are unguided, miniature spin-

stabilized rockets which exhibit a high degree of accu.

racy. Manufactured in sizes. ranging. from 7.62mm

to 40mm, the 180 grain. 13mm Gyrojet and the 45

grain 7.62mm Gyrojet are shown below.

117160

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 29

•p200x

mately 1/10th the recoil of the conventional

Caliber :45 automatic) and require no pres-

surized chamber or barrel, Gyrojet weapons

are lightweight, simple in design and fool.

proof. The entire round is fired from the

barrel of the launcher (since there is no car-

tridge case), eliminating problems of ejection

and jamming.

Since most tolerances are not critical,

Gyrojet Rocket weapons function where other

guns fail. Since no lubrication is required, the

Gyrojet Rocket Handgun will fire even under

water. Dirt, mud and other debris, which

would render other guns inoperative, seldom

interfere with the simple mechanics of the

Gyrojet Rocket Handgun.

Completely assembled, the aluminüm

model Gyrojet Handgun weighs less than

iweive ounces. ine handgun operates. on a

---

## Page 30

principle which is the reverse of the usual gun

mechanism: a unique "forward hammer"

drives the Gyrojet Rocket back against a

fixed firing pin (figure I). The firing pin In!-

tiates the porcussion primer and the forward

thrust of the rocket forces the spring-loaded

hammer forward and down (figure 2) to clear

the barrel and cock the weapon for the next

round. The automatic cocking action of the

hammer is instantancous and provides seri-

automatic firing operation.

Figure 2

000C

Figure 2

5 Gyrojet rounds are stored in the hanure

of the handgun and are spring-fed to their

firing position. An important safety aspect is

the fact that the rounds can be seen at all

times. A "safety" switch is also provided.

Since the parts are simple and easily pro.

duced: and assembied, the MBA Gyrojet

Rocket Handgun is economically: mass pro-

duced. Critical tolerances have been elimi

nated so that maximum assembly line econo-

mies can be effected in its manufacture and

inspection.

Field repairs are made quickly and easily

from interchangeable parts, whose

small

total number minimizes inventory problems.

117 icc!

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Docld:34517452 Page 30

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## Page 31

90A

MBASSOCIATES

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 31

MBA

SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA (NEAR SAN FRANCISCO)

117 Ida

COLLECTORS' MODEL

A limited quantity of serially

mintod collectors models.

@ach handsomely finished.and

mounted in a beautiful trainut

box, may be obtained by order-

ing directly from MBAssociates.

Each Mark I gun ia accompanied

by a supply of Gyrojets and s

large bronze medallion issued

by Congress to honor the late

Robert H. Goddard for his pio.

neering work in rocket propul.

sion. For information on stand-

ard production models, contact

your desler.

AREA CODE 415 • TELEPHONE 837.7201

---

## Page 32

RE: DOMINICAN SITUATION

PROPERTY OF FBI - This document contains neither

recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the

property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency;

"it and

Its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

11.*

1 17 1ce

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## Page 33

FD-373 (Rov. 11-29-61)

UNITED STATES DEPARIMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BURRAU OF INVESTIGATION

File Nos

134-1292

Miami, Florida

SEP 1? 1966

DOMINICAN SITUATION

Cheracter®

Reference

INTERNAL SECURITY - DOMINICAN

REPUBLIC

Memo andum dated and captioned

as soove, at Miami, Florida

Add sourcee (oneapt any listed below, whose identities

are concealed in referenced communication have fumished rollable

Intonation 10 the pasto

1171ff

This document containe neither recommondations nor conclualone of the FBI. It Is the property

of the FBI and 1s looned to your agoncy; it and ita conlonts are not to bo dictributoo outsido

Your agoncy,

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 33

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## Page 34

UN

In Reply, Please Rofor io

File-No.

DD STATES DEPARIMENT OF

REDERAL PURDAU OF INVESTIGATION

STICE

New Yorks

New York

Septenber

7,

1966

Rolando Arcadio Madterrer Rojas

Internal Sécurity - Harti - Cuba

Registration Acc - Haiti - Cuba

Neutrality Maucers

wo has turnished reliable information

In one poses on August 30, 1956, advised that Rolando

Arcadio Masterzon Rojas,

a former cuban Senator and

nobonious cuben exile currently residing in the New York

area, has been in the miami area recently dho has been

cooperating with the Columbia Broadcasting System (OSS) in

puccing cogesner a documentary film reletive to a possible

Lavasion 0e Reloa

and an overchrow of the Government of

Hetti. MY 9-1 advised that connected wiüh Masterrer are

a group of Cuban exiles and reportedly some Heidian

exiles whose identities herdid hot know.

Concerning

She OSS documentary sis, N P-1

Furnached the following information

Andreu Su, George, a tree. reace phovographer,

was che one uno introduced Rolando Masterner 60 Jay

He masons a cas tien arresor in New lock city, to

vion Masterror explained nie ideas of overcrowing che

Covernment 02 Francois Duvalier in Haiti and

escablishing

on 2ai6zan so11 a base from mich military openecions could

becerried out against cube, which could possibly lead

to the overthrow of the Governmont of Prine Minister

his documents conteins neither recommendations nor conclu

sions ofthe not Dods the property. of the fBI and is

loaned to your agency; 1o end los contents are not co be

disoributed outside your agency

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

REVIEWED BY FBWJFK TASK FORCE

- RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 34

1171gg

(JFK)

---

## Page 35

Rolando Arcadio Masterrer Rojas

2100l Castros

NX AX-2

Boated that Me Mullen was very

interessed

in the details as seu torch to him by

Masterrer and vented condo a documentary film which,

When completed, would be maintainea by CBS in its 2iim

Library uncil such time as the Haitian covernment was

overcrowo, and a chat oime, Oss could then have a news

scoop.

vy P-l stated that the first phase of the docu-

mentary fin had been completed in Miani in recent weeks

and that chis a1am consisted of activities relative to

meeting places in Miami used by the alleged invaders and

eliso film of places in the Miami area used to store

weapons.

Net-s further stated that the second phase

of the documentary, was to racord the transfer of the

weapons from the Miami area by boat co a larger ship at

sea for delivery

to the Dominican Republic and then to

a base in the Dominican Republic from wich the invasion

would begin against Haiti

Ny I-1 scared that in the

fines part of

the documentary when the fium was shot

showing the removal of weapons from a hiding place fos

delivery o the boat, Rolando Masterrer was on film and during

interview

his face was. covered by a stocking and

he was introduced as

"Pancho"

Ny 0-1 advised that another very important

indiviquel connected with this project was Mitchell

Divingswon Wez Bell,

Ind fron Atlanta, Georgia.

NY I-1

staced

that Wer Bell was S0 important in the entice

operation because of his connêctions wich the Dominican

Republic where he bad spent quite a bit of time and had

made some very important contacts.

Accordins to N/ T-1,

Wer Bell is to make e trip

co the Dominican Republic

sometime around the beginning

or Septenber, 1966, in

1171hh

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Docld:34517452 Page 35

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## Page 36

Rolando Arcadio Masterrer Rojas

order vo talk wich Commodore Kirst Name unknown eno

Jimenez or

the Dominican, Navy, who

is a close triend oi

Wer Bell and nho has oftered facilities to, Wer Bell

to the proposed invasion of Halvi by Rolando Masferrer

Ny 0-1 stated that according to the present plans.

ulaimate destination of the invasion force of Masterces

would be the island of Beate off the coast of the

Dominican Republic and close to the Haitian border

Ny 0-1 suated that comtodore jimenez allegedly has

promised use of the island of Beata from which the

invasion of Halti could ba mounted. NY T-l also stated

chat Wer Bell has said that this invasion of Rait hau

been discussed with President joaquin Balaguer and that

Balaguer is willing to assaso.

NY 2-1 Stated that Wer Bell and a Cuban exile

bv the name of Adolis: Cobos were to have made a visit

so Santo Domingo to firm up all deballs with Commodore

Jimenez, but this meeting hed been coacelled due to

the difficulties encountered in the Dominicen Republic.

NY D-i stated that if Wer Bell does follu rough and

does get the necessary approval and assistence of the

Dominican dovernment,

then the weapons belonging to

Masterger will be transported ourside the unaced States

to the Dominican Republic and ulcinately to the base on

the island of Beabe.

NY p-1 stated that Mitchell Wer

Beij is the important individual in une entice operacion

because it he does not optein the necessary facilities

in the Dominican Republic through Commodore zimenez,

then the whole plan of Masferrer will be ended.

Wv2-1 staced that 10 was his personal conviccion

that

Rolando Masferrer was sincere in his plan to carry

out

an invasion of Halti if he could obtain the necessary

117111

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 36

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## Page 37

Rolando Arcadio Masterrer Rojas

bese and assistance from individuals in the Dominican

Republic.

12-. Scarea that Mastercer is or che

opinion chat co copore the Government

of, Prestdon't

Duvalier of/Fasci would ber a relatively easy task

and once chas is accomplishea,

ühen the Cuban exiles

could establish e base on Haitian territory foom whach

they could eastly operate against Oriente Province in

cuba.

Ny mel stated that Masterrer is very anxious to

ges his weapons out of the jurisdiction of the United

States in order not to cause any further difficulty fos

himselfand for Cuban exiles who are desirous of carcying

ous military accivity against Cuba.

NY r-I stated that

Masterzer is of the opinion that if he is able to

obtain a base in the Caribbean, he will have many people

who will join in any military action against Cuba

1966,

that

¿clevision at such a time.

when the Covernment of Hasti

would be overthrow.

NY P-l stated that it was not che

incencion of oss to assis linancially or materially

ic any way in che accivities of Masterior. NY I-I

stated that the participation of Obs la this activity

consists only in compiling a recosa of such activicy

which would be of news-worthy interest in

• the event

that a successiul invasion of Haiti would be accomplished.

NY I-l staved chac be wanted to reiterate that

in the event Michell Wer Bell is unsuccessful in

obtaining e base of operation in the Dominicas Republic,

ne feels sure

that all the plans of Masterrez

will collapse.

N7 0-1 Stated that Masterner has never indicated how many

-4.

1171jj

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Docld:34517452 Page 37

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## Page 38

Rolando Arcadio Masterzer Rojes

monie had availoote co him noc hed he indicated what

Rattian eccore were assisting him with the ohe exception

on Father door Bapteate Georges,

Who is a Mastian exile

Romen Catholic prest.

residing in New Cork City.

NY T-1

stated that do was his impression that Masferrer is

relyine mainly upon cuban exiles who have been associated

wich bim in the past plus Cuban exiles desirious of

engaging in military activity in Cuba.

- 5:1

1171KK

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Docld:34517452 Page 38

---

## Page 39

FD-323 (Rev. 11-29-61)

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

UNTIED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Washington, D. C.

July 12, 1966

20535

Title

ALEX WILSON

Character

INTERNAL SECURITY - HAITI

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

Reference

Memorandum dated and captioned

as above.

All sources (except any listed below) whose identities

are concealed in referenced communication have furnished reliable

information in the past,

WE T-1 contacts with whom have been insufficient

to establish reliability, but wo is in a position to

obtain reliable information.

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

ON

10/8 Gidd

RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

B5-4-963 37668500/KSR

(JFK)

1171LL

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI.

It is the property

of the fBi and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not in be distributed outside

your agency.

1* -

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 39

---

## Page 40

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JOSTICE

FEDERAL BURCAU OF INVESTIGATION

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

Washington,

July 12, 1966

D. Co

20535

ALEX WILSON

INTERNAL SECURITY

- HAITI

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

As previously reported, WE J-1 advised on July 6,

1966, that a Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) team con-

sisting of Mr. Andren St. George, scriptman, Mr. Robert

sunky soundman; Mr..

James/Wilson, caneraman; and Mr. Jay

McMullen, film editor, were in the Coral Gables, Florida,

area during June, 1966, for the purpose of filming phase

one of a documentary concerning the collection and shipment

of arms from the United States destined for rebel forces

in Haiti

On July 10, 1966, WE I-1 learned that James Wilson

planned to be in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, July 13, 1966,

for the purpose of filming phase two, and that Jay McMullen

would arrive in Miani, Florida, on Thursday, July 14, 1966.

The informant had no information on the itinerary of other

CBS team members.

The informant understood that arrangements have

been completed concerning the rental of a (not further

described) "sloop" to be used in filming

the documentary

to effect delivery of a cache of weapons in the Coral Gables

area to a "mother ship!' outside the continental limits of

the United States:

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

ON

10/8197.d8

RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

Exclu

DECLASSIFIED BY 5668 S40/CSR

IN 3-9-461 1FK)4

tomatic

11/1mm

L

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Docld:34517452 Page 40

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## Page 41

ALEX WILSON

The informant felt that members of this CBS team

would domicile at the International Airport Motel at

Miami, Florida, upon arrivals

This document contains neither

recommendations: not conalusions of

the FBin luis the property of

We Blend is looned to your agenc

1 cold-its contents.are. not

distributed cutside your digenev

1171nn

N 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 41

---

## Page 42

UNTIED STATES DEPIRTWONT OF

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

US NIGE

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

Washington, D.

July 12, 1966

20535

ALEX WILSON

INTERNAL SECURITY - HAITI

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

It has been previously reported, on July 6, 1965,

by WE T-1 that a Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), team

consisting of Mr.

Andrew St. George, scriptman; Mr. Robert

soundman;

Mr a James

Swilson, Cemeraman;

and Jay

McMullen, Silm editor, were in the Coral Gables, Florida,

area during June, 1965, For the purpose of filming phase

one of a documentary concernins the collection and shipment

of arms from the United States destined for rebel forces

within Haiti

It has been previously reported that on July 10,

1966, WE T-1 learned that CBS team member's James Wilson

and Jay McMullen were to have arrived in Miami, Florida,

on July 13,

1966, and July 14, 1966, respectively to

commence filming phase two of the CBS documentary.

On July 12, 1966, the informant learned that

McMullen advised this CBS team that filming of phase two

has been postponed and those members of the CBS team not

already in Miami, Florida, were not to travel there at this

time. McMullen stated the postponement is due to radio

broadcasts originating from Haiti, and Havana, Cuba, which

accuse the United States Goverrment of supporting e

move to

overthrow Haitian President Francois Duvalier.

The informant also understood that Andrew St. George

is en route from Miami,

Florida, to New York City, to discuss

this CBS. documentary further with McMullen.

REVIEWED BY FBI/JFK TASK FORCE

• 11/100

ON TO 8197 cot

DECLASSIFIED BY 2668 SLanSK

RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

• -TOTAL DENIAL

GOUP 1

Exclud

down

do.

rassif

om automatio

ng

and

ation

NWV 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 42

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## Page 43

ALEX WILSON

According, to the informant, McMullen understood

that

someoneW Scom Washington,

D.

C., had gone, to the

Miami,

Florida, area to meet with the Alex Wilson group

concerning their involvement in phase one and phase two

of this documentary

The informant had no additional information

This document contains nether

recoinmendations

the FBI. fris

hor conclusions of

the property of

the IBI ond is locried to vour

li and it contanis ore notro be

agency

distributed outside your agency

2*

1171pP

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Docld:34517452 Page 43

---

## Page 44

FD-323J(Rev. 11-29-5l)

In Reply, Please Refer 10

File No.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

washington, C.

July 12, 1966

20535

Title

ALEX WILSON

Character

Reference

INTERNAL SECURITY - HAITI

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

Memorandum dated and captioned

as above.

All sources (except any listed below) whose identities

are concealed in referenced communication have furnished reliable

information in the past.

WE T-l contacts with whom have been insufficient

to establish reliability, but who is in a position to

obtain reliable information.

1171gg

This document contoins neither recommendations noi conclusions of the FBl: It is the property

of the FBl and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to he distributed outside

your agency

1%-

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 44

---

## Page 45

U

TED STATES DEPARIMENT OF

STICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

DECLASSIFIED BY 566& SLD KSS

14-229%

Washington, D. C.

20535

July 8, 1966

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

ALEX WILSON

INTERNAL SECURITY - HAITI

NEUTRALITY MATTERS

DECLASSIFIGATION AND/OR

RELEASE OF CIA INCORMATION

IN THIS DOCUMENT RP 115-98

On July 6, 1966, WE T-l furnished the following

information

A Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) team con-

sisting of Mr. Andrewist. George, scriptman; Mr. Robert

Funk, soundman; Mr. James Wilson, cameraman; and Mi. Jay

Mc Mullen, film editor, were in the Coral Gables, Florida,

area during June, 1966, for the purpose of filming a

documentary concerning

the collection and shipment of arms

from the United States destined for Haitian rebel forces,

outside the United States.

The source advised that Mc. Mullen was in contact

with Haitian exiles in the New. York City area approximately

four weeks ago.

Mc Mullen was advised that a Mr. Alex

Wilson of Atlanta, Georgia; could be located in the Coral

Gables area as

the custodian of an arms and munitions cache.

Mc Mullen traveled to the Atlanta, Georgia, area and met

Alex Wilson, who resides on an 85 acre farm outside of Atlanta,

Georgia. Mc Mullen advised that Wilson maintained a cache

of arms in the basement of his house. Mc Mullen described

the storage basement area as a walk-in pantry janmed with

weapons:

Mc Mullen advised other members of the above

described CBS team (in Coral Gables, Florida) that a

sampling of these weapons were test

fired to show they

were operational.

WE T-1 advised that Mc Mullen became interested

in filming a documentary for CBS as to the eventual purpose

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE

ON

1:23-98 das

HELLASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

GR

Exclude

down

ading

de

assifica

1171R9

com automatic

and

NW 64954

Docld:34517452 Page 45

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## Page 46

ALEX WILSON

and destination of these weapons. Mc Mullen then organized

the above CBS team and instructed they should come to the

Miami, Florida, area.

James Wilson arrived July 22, 1966,

and Robert Funk arrived in Miami on Wednesday July 24, 1966,

with necessary film and sound equipment and registered under

their true names at the International Airport Hotel, Miami,

Florida. Me Mullen arrived on Friday, July 24, 1966, from

New York City and was met at the Miami airport by Andrew

St. George

On June 24, 1966, Mc Mullen briefed this CBS

team, and to insure their security instructed the CBS team

to move to the Key Biscayne Hotel, Key Biscayne, Miami,

Florida.

This move was accomplished during the late after-

noon of June 24, 1966, and this CBS team registered under

their true names. During the briefing on June 24, 1966,

Me Mullen explained they were to film a documentary for

CBS concerning a cache of weapons in the Coral Gables area

which were parcelled out to various collection houses, theie-

after, centrally gathered in a "safe house," where they

were to be reloaded for transport by small boat to a "mother

ship' off the coast of Florida. Mc Mullen indicated the

final destination of these weapons was their delivery to

rebel forces in Haiti to be used within a three month period

to overthrow the government of President Duvalier of Haiti.

It was further indicated that the filming would be in two

parts.

The first would include filming of the storage and

transport of the cache from Coral Gables to the "mother ship"'

The second portion would include transport by the "mother

ship' to a naval base in the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,

area, and thereafter reloading on small boats for transfer

and delivery to Haitian rebel forces.

It was thought by

Mc Mullen that this two-part filming would break any chain

of evidence.

On June 25, 1966, Mc Mullen and Saint George were

in contact with what they described as "gunrunners."

Mc Mullen

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## Page 47

ALEX WILSON

explained to the CBS team they would meet a Mr. Alex Wilson

on June 26, 1966, and filming would commence in the Coral

Gables area according to the briefing outlined on June 24,

1966.

It was on June 25, 1966, that Me Mullen revealed his

visit to the Alex wilson farm and the location and description

of the cache previously mentioned.

WE T-l advised that no

information was offered as to whether the arms cache on the

Wilson farm was actually transported to Coral Gables, or the

method of such transport from Atlanta to Coral Gables.

On June 26, 1966, the other members of the CBS team,

including Mc Mullen and St. George were taken by Alex Wilson

to what was described as a "safe höuse." The source stated

it was located in Coral Gables,

Florida, and is the third

house to

the east of 12th Street on the south side of 24th

Avenue:

Adjacent to the above was a fourth house described

as a

"collection house."

These houses were of a brown stucco

exterior, one story high, with either one-half, or three-

quarter length louvered jalousie windows running the width

of the houses.

They were single dwellings each with a car-

port west of the house, as an individual faces the house.

Their age is approximately twenty-five years.

The filming schedule for June 26, 1966, called for

a small boat, aboard a land trailer carrier to rendezvous

at the fourth house, described above, where the cache was

to have been loaded. However, Alex Wilson advised the CBS

team that this small boat was under

surveillance by United

States Customs and its scheduled pickup of the cache. was

safeguard the location of the "safe house"

and the "collection house." Alex Wilson then led the CBS

team to the "safe house"

and observed therein were the

following weapons:

3

1171tt

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Docld:34517452 Page 47

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## Page 48

ALEX WILSON

One 50 calibre machine gun.

Two 30 calibre machine guns.

One-half dozen sub-machine guns.

Several "'Sweedish K's"

Several "grease guns!

Three or four sets 60 millimeter mortar components.

One set 80 millimeter mortar components.

One 1.25 rocket launcher

Several canisters of rockets:

One AR 15 converted to an M-16 fully automatic weapon.

Stacks of Ml and Carbine rifles.

One rocket pistol:

With the exception of the "Sweedish K" weapon all

other weapons appeared to be of English or American manufacture.

During this filming on June 26, 1966, Alex Wilson

was very evasive in any attempt to obtain an explanation of

the origin of this cache. It further developed that St. George

and Alex Wilson were apparently well known to each other and

had known each other for a number of years. Kleig lights were

used inside this house as a light source to film the above

described weapons.

As the filming schedule of June 26, 1966, was not.

completed, it was agreed that Alex Wilson and others on June

27, 1966, would film a transport run to fulfill the planned

filming of the documentary.

On June 27, 1966, this CBS team went to the "safe

house''

Approximately three blocks away, a gray-white Dodge

panel truck was parked. It was explained by Wilson the panel

truck would gather weapons stored at various collection houses

in Coral Gables where they are maintained by sympathetic

persons.

The driver of this truck was identified simply as

"Gordo" who is a living prototyre of the comic strip character

of the same name.

"Gordo" was described as a Cuban exile.

117 1uụ

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## Page 49

ALEX WILSON

-

The source advised the CBS team actually filmed

the pickup from one collection house of what were described

as cases of ammunition in military-type metal canisters.

Additional filming was done at a second collec-

tion house where 50 calibre machine guns were loaded on the

above described Dodge panel truck. These machine guns

were loaded aboard the panel truck by two male individuals,

wearing face masks for self-protection and who were described

by Alex Wilson as Haitian exiles. A= 6:35 p.m. a small boat

aboard a land. trailer

was to appear at the safe house and

the cargo on the panel truck, which had been placed in the safe

house was to be reloaded on this small boat for delivery to

the "mother ship." At 6:45 p.m. the small boat had not arrived.

At 6: 45 phis

Alex Wilson

and "Gordo" were visibly nervous.

It was hurriedly

decided these weapons would be reloaded aboard the panel truck

änd returned: to the collection houses for safe storage and to

avoid burning the "safe house."

Later on June 27, 1966, Alex Wilson explained to

the CBS team that the small boat did not appear, as it was

under surveillance by what was described as two

"Falcon"

automobiles with "spike antennae" traveling on parallel

streets to the route taken by the small boat trailer. Alex

Wilson further stated that the cache aboard the panel truck

was driven

"down the coast,"' unloaded aboard another small

boat which met the "mother ship" and was then en route to

Haiti:

WE I-l noted that during various conversations with

Alex Wilson on June 26 and 27, 1966, he was frequently called

by the first name of 'Mitch" and/of "Mitchel":

The source

added that on one occasion a phonetic last name of "Dale"

or "Martindale" was used.

5

117 TVV

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## Page 50

ALEX WILSON

Alex Wilson was physically described as five feet

ten inches tall, approximately 165 pounds, bulbous nose,

short brown hair, wearing a bushy brown upper lip mustache

and at all times dressed in light tan khaki pants and white

t-shirt. He is a white male and believed by source to be a

citizen of the United States. Alex Wilson spoke in a

"gravel voice and this in combination with the bulbous

nose gave the impression he is a heavy liquor drinker.

Noted in the company of Alex Wilson was one "Pancho"

described as a Cuban exile, residing in the Miami, Florida,

area. He was wounded seven times, and displayed these scars

for filming purposes. Pancho spoke good English, was approxi

mately six feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds,

wearing an

upper lip mustache, a round face, curly black hair, one who

fought with Fidel Castro, prior to Castro's assumption of

governmental powers in Cuba, and who allegedly fought on

an unknown side in the Spanish Civil War.

Pancho's role

in this "gun running operation'' was his hope to use Haitian

territory as a base to operate a counter revolution against

Cuba, realizing that such an operation cannot realistically

be accomplished from United States soil. Pancho was further

described as an individual who lacks formal education, but

who gives the appearance of being able to mount a counter-

revolution against Cuba.

27 g

On June 27 and 28, 1966, the CBS

team made a ten minute filmed sound interview of Pancho

who expressed his above thoughts to mount a counter revolution

from Haiti against Cuba.

During this interview, Pancho wore

a stocking over his head and a large straw hat.

made From the use 28, 196 addit an exteriocome was

open and done from the "carport" area. At the request of

Alex Wilson, camera tripods and other equipment were disguised

in an effort not to draw aliention to the filming.

All shots

- 6

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Docld:34517452 Page 50

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## Page 51

ALEX WILSON

were directed away from the "safe house" exterior to avoid

its being compromised on film

Alex Wilson expressed no

concern over immediate persons residing in the neighbor-

hood as he described them as all sympathetic to the operations

carried on in the "safe house." Alex Wilson, Pancho and

Gordo were described as legitimately "jumpy"' and when

exterior shooting was completed it was agreed they would

hurriedly depart the area. As a test run, the CBS team

with the exception of St. George, departed the area with

lights off and at high speed to detormine if they were

being surveilled.

No surveillance was noted by this CBS team. How-

ever, later in the night of June 28, 1965, when the CBS

team

regrouped at the Hotel Biscayne, Andrew St. George

advised he had been stopped by what were described to him

as "Treasury Agents"

These men flashed identity cards

Identifying themselves as "Treasury Agents" and after

conducting a search of his trunk released St. George.

St. George offered no additional details.

WE T-I advised the above events completed phase

one of this documentary:

Additional conversation on June 28, 1966, developed

phase two.

Alex Wilson discussed the possibility of renting

a secondary sloop as a replacement vessel for the small

boat currently used by Alex Wilson, and the question was

raised whether CBS would pay for its rental.. Me Mullen with

the consent of other CBS team members agreed that $500 to

$1000 dollars would be made available to Alex Wilson for

such rental.

However, Wilson is to make the actual rental

arrangements and CBS was in no way to be identified in this

transaction

Filming of phase two was tentatively established

to commence between June 29, 1966, and July 8, 1966.

On

1171XX

7

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## Page 52

ALEX WILSON

July 5, 1966, it was established that Mc Mullen had learned

the rental arrangements had been accomplished and the CBS

team was put on a forty-eight hour alert to return to the

Miami, Florida, area to commence filming phase two of the

documentary.

For the purpose of filming phase two, a

rented sloop is to be used to protect the actual boat which

makes delivery to the "mother ship."

On the night of June

28, 1966, Alex Wilson stated "they" had lost a boat (not

further described) about two months ago as it was plying

the Cuban coastline. According to Alex Wilson this boat

with a cache of weapons was bombed by a Cuban air force

plane, and sunk with loss of all personnel aboard. No

further details were offered by Alex Wilson.

It was further developed that phase two called

for the CBS team to film a hidden "B-25" bomber equipped

with radar, bomb bay and bomb sight.

It is intended that

in the actual invasion of Haiti this bomber will be used

to bomb "Duvalier's"

palace at Port au Prince, and signal

the start of a revolution sometime within the next three

months. Alex Wilson offered no information whatsoever as

to whether the "B-25"' is stored inside or outside the

territorial limits of the United States. The invitations

to film phase one and

this "B-25" were extended by "Pancho."

During this conversation no estimate of available Haitian

rebel forces or the framework of any provisional Haitian

government was discussed in detail. Alex Wilson offered only

vague generalities that many Haitian factions would join

forces to accomplish the demise of the Duvalier government.

Mc Mullen ventured the opinion that a successor government

to Duvalier would be picked by the United States government.

According to St. George, Alex Wilson had des-

cribed himself as a former associate of the Central Intel-

ligence Agency, and prior

thereto as associated with the

oSS (Office of

Strategic Services and forerunner to CIA)

St.

Coorge added that Alox Wilson is well know in Sante

Domingo and is held in.

high respect there.

1171yY

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## Page 53

ALEX WILSON

Phase two calls for this CBS team to be aboard

the "mother ship" for its five day run to a naval base in

the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR), area.

There,

a cache of arms is to be unloaded to other

small boats for

transport to an undisclosed area along the Haiti coastline

where rebels within Haiti are to receive these

arms

Cur -

rent negotiations with Alex Wilson call, for the CBS docu

mentary to terminate at this point. However, this CBS

team is attempting to persuade Alex Wilson to allow them

to tollow the rebels into their Haitian jungle hiding area;

however, no decision has been made to allow the CBS team

to go on Haitian soil... It was

further indicated by Alex

Wilson that the "mother ship" shipment with the CBS team aboard

would be the second to last shipment of arms destined for

Haitain rebels. No data was available regarding prior ship-

ments:

wr I-l stated, to the best of his knowledge, the

film and voice tape taken on phase one is now at CBS

headquarters, New York City, in the care of Jay Mc Mullen

or a Jewels Laventhol. This film has beenpröcessed and no

other copy exists.

Jay Mc Mullen personally vouched for the trustworthi-

ness of other CBS team members to Alex Wilson.

WE T-I advised that Mc Mullen is known in CBS as

a "wildman," "'odd ball" documentary film editor. Mc.Mullen

was responsible for the sensational CBS show entitled "The

Boston Bookie'! which revealed police department involvement

with "numbers' in the Boston, Massachusetts

area.

No decision has been made by CBS headquarters,

New York City, to show, of not to show, the completed

documentary.

1:1712Z

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## Page 54

ALEX WILSON

However, it is known at this time, that the Alex

Wilson group poses no objection to CBS showing the completed

film prior to the three months time schedule for an alleged

invasion of Haiti

The Alex Wilson group reasons, that prior

CBS telecasting would not reveal to the Duvalier Government,

anything they do not already know. Further, Mc Mullen cannot

be dissuaded, due to the openness of the Alex Wilson operation,

that United States Government agencies generally are not

cognizant of this operation, and Mc Mullen is firmly con-

vinced the operation has tacit approval by the United States

Government. Other than personal opinion, Mc Mullen has

offered no substantive informationas to

how he is convinced

the Alex Wilson operation does in fact have approval by any

agency within the United States Government.

Mc Mullen holds

the additional theory that this documentary would place its

Cuban and/or Haitian participants in a very strong position

to identify themselves with the leadership of a new govern-

ment,

either in Cuba or Haiti. Logically, these rebels

could establish through a documentary film, they are the

heroes who took the risks.

we l-l understood that at no time: did Alex Wilson

permit the CBS team to take a photograph of a person's head.

However, in the film, the back of Alex Wilson's head appears

as does his full length silhouetted body.

Additional conversation dring the filming deter-

mined that Alex Wilson was scheduled to depart for Santo

Domingo, DR, on June 29, 1966.

According to Mc Mullen,

Alex Wilson actually went to the DR and returned to the

Miami, Florida, area on July 2, 1966:

10

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## Page 55

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

20535

pply, Please Refor so

EVIEWED BY FBI/JFK TASK FORCE

iN 10/8/90 dad.

RELEASE IN FULL

fe January 26, 1966

KITCHELL LIVENGSTOYIER BELL IrI

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

On january 25,

1965,

My. Robert H. Fleming, load ca

Washington

News Bureau,

Anerican Broaucasting Company,

furnished the following intouration to a representative oi

the ¿ederal Bereau of Investigation:

John Casserly has been the correspondent for the

Anerican Croadcasting Company in the Dominican Republic tor

several months.

On this assignment he has becone acquainted

with Kitchell WerBell, who has described hansel as an Amcrican

citinen and has hinted tirt he has been connectea with the

Central Intelligence Agency lor with its predecessor, the

Olice of strategic Services. His credentials in the Dominicas

Republic are reportedly accepted in high Covernment circles.

He was able to arrange for Casserly to conduct the first

inüerview granted by Antonio C. Imbert to a correspondont trou

the United States.

Recently, WerBell reportedly showed some photomaphs

ICO CONTAINED

ALL INFORMA

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIAIED

DATE 4-1-96 BY 5668548/K5P

#O CasScily.

These photographs depicted scenes in Havana,

Cuba,

as well as some small boats which reportedly attain

speeds up to 50 knots. He also reportedly demonsiratea &

silencer to be used with a 45 caliber weapon to Casserly,

which Casserly considered to be the most efficient silencer

he had ever seon.

According to Mr. Floming, HerBell told Casserly that

he had a plan to assassinato Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba,

which plan would be executed within the next two to three

wecks (irom January 25, 1966). He said that he had been in

Juba on recent occasions "as a private citizen" but that he

ould not enter that country in execution of his plan. He

explained that he would direct the assassination from

some

point outside Cuba.

According to Mi. Fleming, Casserly has

described WerBell as a "nut" who seems to feel it is bis

mission to bring about Castro's assassination.

WerBell is said to have claimed that Andrew

st. George, & iree-lance photocraphor and journalist, would

ATTENTION

This report was loaned to the. Air Force by another

(11)

investigative. agency.

The report and the information

1171666

contrysed therein will not be disseminated to un-

authorized persons.

Dissemination'

will not

be made

outside the USAF nor will the; information contained

therein be reproduced without prior written

approval

of the Director of Special Investigations. When this

report has served: its

purpose it, will be returned to

2

the OSIictivitv._which_furnished.i

atel

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## Page 56

MITCHELL LIVINGSTON HER BELL III

enter Cuba to film the assassination.

He asked Casserly if

the Amcrican Brocdcasting Company would put up $500 on the

cance that it would be the highest bidder for the st. Georgo

fiin.

To indicaod that if conc ounci nuus modia bid moro dox

the ¿iim,

the only thing the ancrican Broadcasting Company

would get for its money would be "an accounting."

He further told Casserly that he had seen an

individual named Dick Phillips of the State Department about

his pian and would see the Honorable Bill D. Loyers at tho

White House about it.

In reporting the above information, in. Fleming

explained that VerBell's proposal that the American Broadcasting

Compary become involved in the matter had been turned down and

that be, li. Fleming, had related the foregoing story to

Mr. loyers and had advised him that the American Broadcasting

Company would not become invoivea.

The files of this Burcau contain information indicating

chat

the individual named above as Mitchell Verbell is possioly

identical with Mitchell Livingston VerBell ill, who has been

in the Dominican Republic during much of the past two and

one half years.

He has been described by individuals contacted

In the past as a "wild man," a con man, a name cropper, and

as having an unsavory reputation he formerly was president

o1 a public relations 11rm in Atlanta, Georgia, called

Communications International, Inc.

He is said

to live by his

wits and by fast dealing and smooth talking rather than by

honest work

Andiew St. George of Dobbs Ferry, New York, nas beer

aescribed as a free-lance photographer and journalist who

in the past has been involved in certain anti-Castro elforts

undertaken by refugee Cubans in the Miami area of Florida.

11/ 1CCC

(08)

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## Page 57

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUROAK NEW YOrEATION

New York, New

Hebruary 1, 1966

In Reply, Please Refer s0

File Na

CIA

HAS NG

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

Ư AND D

REI

FORMA

KP

115.98 220/KR

1-22.98 (JFK)

Mitchell Livingston WerBell/III

REVIEWED BY FBMJFK TASK

1.23.98dd

On January 25, 1966, Mc. Robert H. Fleming, Head of

the Washington News Bureau, American Broadcasting Company (ABC),

furnished the following information to a representative of

the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):

John Casserly has been the correspondent for A33

1n the Dominican Republic for several months.

on this assignment

he has become acquainted with Mitchell Werßell, who has described

himself as an American citizen and has hinted that he has been

connected with the Central. Intelligence Agency (CIA) or with

Its predécessor, the Office of Strategic Services. His credentiais

in the Dominican Republic are reportedly accepted in h1gh

Government circles.

He was able to arrange for Casserly to

conduct the first interview granted by Antonio C. Imbert to a

correspondent from the United States.

Recently, WerBell reportedly showed some photographs

to Casserly.

These photographs depicted scenes in havana,

cuba, as well as some small boats which reportealy attain

speeds up to 50 knots.

silencer to be used with a .45 caliber weapon to Casserly,

which Casserly considered to be the most efficient silencer

he had ever seen.

Cuts

According to

Fleming, WerBell told Casserly that

he had a plan to assassinate Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba,

which plan would be executed within the next two or three weeks

He said that he had been in Cuba on

recent occasions

(fron January 25'"as a private citizen" but that he would not

enter that country in execution of his plan. He explained that

This document contains neither recommendations

nor conclusions of the FBI. It i1s the property

RELEASE IN FULL

RELSASE IN PART

of the FBI and 13 loaned to your agency; it and

TOTAL DENIAL

1ts contents are not to be distributed outside

your agency.

diat

ATTENTION

This report

investigalive agency.

was loaned to the Air, Force by another

The report and the information

(11)

contained therein will not be disseminated to un-

authorized persons.

Dissemination will not be made

outside the USAF nor will the information contained

therein be reproduced without prior written approval

of the Director of Specil Investigations.

When thie

report has served its purpose it will be returned to

Qut 3 10

ateb

the OSI.activity.which.furniahndass

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## Page 58

witcrell Livingston Wersezz, 111

he would direct the assassiration from some port outside

Ciba.

According to Mr. Fleming, Casserly has described Werbell

"nut" who seems to feel lt is his mission to bring about

Castrolo assassination ADM

WerBell 1s said to have claimed that Andrew St. George,

a free-lance photographer and journalist, would enter Cuba

to film the assassination.

Fe asked Casserly if ABC would

put up $500 on the chance that it would be the highest bidder

Tor she St. George flim.

on line range the

He indicated that if some other news

nedia bid more for the film, the only thing ABC would get

for its money would be "an accounting".

He further told Casserly that he had seen an

Individual named Dick Phillips of the State Department about

his plan and would see the Honorable Bill D. Movers at the

White House abrüt 1t.

In reporting the above Information, Mr. Fleming

explained that WerBell's proposal that ABC Uecone involrea

in the matter had been turned down and that he, Mr. Fleming,

had ralated the foregoing etory to Me. Moyers and hau aavisea

him that ABC would not become involved.

The files of this Bureau contain information Inaicating

that the individual named above as Mitchell WerBell is possibly

Identical with Mitchell Livingston WerBell III, who has been

in the Dominican Republic during much of the past two and

He has been described by individuals contacted

In the past as a "wild man," a con man, a name dropper, and

as having an unsavory reputation. He formerly was president

of a public relations firm in Atlanta, Georgia, called

communications International, Inc. He 1s said

to live by his

wits and by fast dealing and smooth talking rather than by

honest, work.

Andrew St. George of Dobbs Ferry, New York, har

been described as a free-lance photographer

and journalist

who in the rast has been involved in certain anti-Castro

efforts undertaken by refugee Cubans in the Miami arca of Florida.

-2-

(go)

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## Page 59

Mitchell Livingstor WerEell, fl

Andrew St. George, free-lance photographer and

magazine writer, Dibbs Ferry. New York, was tejephunically

contacted on January 31, 1960, In Miami, Florida, where he 18

presently registered a: the Everglades Hotcl.

so, Ceorge 1s

1r Florida at, this time primarily doing research work for certain

nagazine articles which he 1s writing.

Andrew St. George stated on January 31, 1960, that he

traveled to washinizton, D. C. on january 22, 1960, in order

to co some research work on current articles he is writing

and also to condiut an interview in Washington, D. C. wich

Mitchell Livirgai on WarBell, III. St. George stated that he

was asked to corduct his interview of WerBell by Jerry Hannifan,

Chief, "Time" Magazine aiplomatic correspondent in Washington,

as WerBell was alleged to be involved in a plot to

assassinate Prime Minister Fidel Castro of Cuba.

St. ceorge said that he had first met Mitchell WerBell

In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic during late April and

early may, 1965, at which time WerBell was most nelpful to

Amerisin newsmen covering the Dominican revolution St. George

stated that WorBell was helpful to various American nevs

correspondente In Santo Domingo during

the Dominican revolution

because he had entree to important Dominican personalities.

was Individuals whom WerBell helped in the Dominican Republic

were john Casserly, who was correspondent for ABly and Bob Schute

(phonetic), who was a photographer for Associated Press (AP) •

During the carly stages of the Dominican revolution werbed

also was: in contact with Richard Phillips, who was descried

as the Assistani Deputy Secretary, Public Affairs Office, United.

States Department of State, who had also made a trip to Santo

Domingo.

St. George advised that WerBell came to Washington.

D. C. from Atlanta. George, where he resides, and WerBell was

registered at the Mayflower Hotel where he was contacted by

several perple in the news media.

WerBell, accoraing te

St. Gaorge, was

seeking financial help in order to carry

out his argassination plot of Fidel Castro. St. George said that

(21)

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## Page 60

Mitcheli Livingston WerBell, III

John Casserly, correspondent for ABC; and Bou Schutz (phonetic),

photographer for AP.

As a result of

the meetings with WerBell,

St. George stated that ABC and AP definitely had no intentions

of supplying werbell with any funds to carry out this assassinatio

Diot, but "Time" was still interested in WerBell's story, but

would not advance him any money.

St. George further stated on January 31, 1966, that

while HerBell was in Washington, D. C. he haa a tro hour

Interview with Richard Phillios

of the United States Department

of sTate, and it was the opinion of St. Gecrõe that Mr. Phillios

tried to talk WerBell out of this assassination plot and to tell

WerBell not to do so much talking.

so George advised that Bob Schutz,

AP photographer,

on either January 25 or 26, 1966, told WerBell that he was going

to the whlts House to meet the Honorable Bill D. Moyers,

Presidential Press Secretary, on other businss and would

arrange

for werBell to meet with Mr. Moyers in order to discuss the

assassination plot.

st. George stated that he and howard

Handelman of "Time"

; finally talked WerBell out of seeing Mr.

Moyers as they told werBell that to discuss such a matter with a

representative of the White House would be an embarrassing

situation for the United States Government.

St,. George further stated that from inquiries which he

had made in Washington, D. C., he definitely received the im-

pression that WerBell's reputation was not good, and that he

was not highly thought of by individuals in the United States

Government.

St. George stated that it was his rpinion Werbell

was trying

to make some money for himseif and was willing to go

to any extremes.

st. George further stated

that while in the

Dominican Republic, 1y was the general opinion that WerBell was

a "sponger"

as he spent little of his own money but ate aru

drank lavishly on the expenses of others.

St. George stated

that the newsmen in Santo Domingo covering the Dominican

Repurife wined and dined WerBell mainly because WerBell had been

such a help to them in covering developments during the Dominican

revolution.

-4-

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## Page 61

Mitchell Livingston VerBell, Ill

St. George statea that he left Washington, D. C.

on January 26, 1966, and drove WerBell to his home in Atlanta,

ceorgia.

St. George said that it was quite obvious that

Vertell at one time had been rather a successful businessman

as he had a very lange estate on which was a very beautiful home,

cut the estate was neavily mortgagedand 1t was quite obvious

so St. George that WerBell presently was very much in debt.

St. George advised that from his conversations with

WerBell, he ascertained that WerBell's plan of assassination

of Fidel Castro called for the use of six exile Cabans to enter

Cuba in teams of twos.

WerBell would direct the assassination

plot out would direct this plot from outside Cuba.

WerBell,

according to St. George, is alleged to have the necessary men,

identities not known to st. George, and the necessary speedboass

to carry our such a plot.

St. George further noted that

WerBell has silencers for .22

and 38 caliber guns and a

pilrncer for a machinegun.

St. George staved that he saw WerBell

demonstrate the silencer on the .22 and he was absolutely

certain that this was the best silencer which he had ever

seen.

WerBell 1s alleged to have all the necessary equipment and

material which he needs in order to carry out the assassination

p10t.

St. George advised that werBell did not discuss in

the various aspects of the assassination plot, except

in the most general of terms. St. George pointed out that

Jay Mallin, a

"Time" stringer in Miami, Florida, 1s supposed

to have more details of WerBell's assassination plot.

St. George reiterated on January 31, 1966, that his

primary reason for being in Miami, Florida, was to do research

so that he could finish articles which he is currently writing

for some national magazines.

St. George stated that since he

started out on this trip to do research work, the WerBell Incident

"Time" to follow

the WerBell matter closely.

St. George advised that he had left

he have any indication as to when this assassination plot could

be put into effect.

( 23)

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## Page 62

MItchell Livingston WerBell, III

St. George, on January 31, 1966, advised that he

unfinitely was not entertaining any

thoughts of leaving the

linited States on any anti-Castro action, and that he absolutely

would not enter Cuba to film the alleged assassination plot

of ridel Castro.

The files of the New York Office of the FBI contain

no Information identifiable with Mitühell Livingston WerBell, III.

-6*_

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