Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, KC
Document date: 09/30/1980
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD_NUMBER: 124-10179-10129

RECORD SERIES: SA

AGENCY FILE NUMBER: CR 89-250-1-5366

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM:

TO:

TITLE:

SAC, KC

DATE:

09/30/1980

PAGES: 7

SUBJECT: JFK, EVID, NOTE, ALLEGATIONS

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

ORIGINAL

Unclassified

CLASSIFICATION:

REVIEW DATE:

STATUS

09/24/1997

Redact

NEW

CLASSIFICATION:

UPDATE DATE:

02/12/2001

COMMENTS:

RESTRICTIONS:

JFK Act 6 (4)

DATE LOWER LEFT CORNER

DocId: 32174310

Page 1

---

## Page 2

FD-302 (REV. 3-8-77)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

1.

Date of transcription...

10/2/80

erry Ray James (PROTECT IDENTITY) adyised that i

recent conversation with fellow inmate Travid Irwin o

Saturday, September 27,

by.

Doc1d: 32174310 Page 2

as well as the murder of Judge wood. In addition, the note

as alleged to have stated that while Harrelson pergonall

and solely assassinated

Kennedy, he assisted Larry Culbreatl

in the murder of Judge wood and Culbreath

actually fired the

weapon killing the Judge but Harrelson had planned the "hit"

and received payment for this contract.

shortly after yeah a vatete the fact taverworth

on September 23, 1980.

Joe Chagra had also stated that the

"note" was currently in the possession of

law enforcement

officers and that he (Joe) had a "contact" with one of these

officers and was thus able to find out the contents of the

alleged note.

The note was supposedly recovered

from Harrelson's

personal

effects subsequent to his arrest in early September, 1980.

Jimmy Chagra also advised Irwin that the final payment

on the $200,000 assassination fee had just been made to Harrelson

in the last

two of three months at El Paso, Texas.

This money

had been paid Harrelson but the exact amount of the balance

payment was unknown by Irwin or James.

In conversation with Irwin, James has been able to

determine the facts concerning Jimmy Chagra and his relationship

with Charlie Harrelson.

According to Irwin, Jimmy Chagra

first met Charlie Harrelson when both were gambling, perhaps

poker, at Las Vegas, Nevada, just before Judge Wood was killed

in May, 1979. AS

result of this meeting in May, 1979, a

"contract" was given to Charlie Harrelson by Jimmy Chagra

against the life of Judge Wood. James did not exactly know

how Irwin came to know these facts but believes Jimmy Chagra

had told Irwin.

9/30/80

Investigation on

4438

Kansas City

at

Leavenworth, Kansas

-Fe + 09=319-SUB B - 10E

B-250-5u61-5-344

"SCARCHED

SA Michael P. Shanah an

Date dictated.

10/2/80

JUN 1 8 15311

913-319 put-6-43

"his document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions gather BoNto the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency;

it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

---

## Page 3

KC 89-319-SUB B

2 .

In conversation between Travis Irwin and Jerry

Ray James, both have discussed the facts which Jimmy

Chagra has told them concerning the murder of Judge Wood.

It is the conclusion of both

Irwin and James that Jimmy

Chagra is truthful when he stated that he was responsible

for the death of Judge Wood; however, Travis Irwin doubts

the truthfulness of Harrelson's statements that Larry

Culbreath was the "trigger man" at the murder of Judge Wood.

Irwin has stated to James that he knows

"everything Larry

Culbreath has done in his life," and Irwin stated that

Culbreath has denied any participation in the wood murder

and Irwin is confident that if in fact he (Culbreath) were

involved, Irwin would have known of it by now.

James stated

that he trusts Irwin's statements regarding Culbreath anc

Iwin thinks of James as a "god" and

"looks up to James",

and would not withhold anything from him.

James advised

Irwin

and Culbreath had grown up together in Texas and have been

friends in excess of twenty years.

Irwin had also determined from either Jimmy Chagra

or Culbreath himself that Culbreath was arrested either the

day after or two days

after the wood murder while Culbreath

was driving Harrelson's car from San Antonio to Pleasanton,

James did not know the nature of the arrest and only

it occurred between San Antonio and Pleasanton, Texas.

Irwin has also related to James that just prior to James'

arrival at Leavenworth in June, 1980, Jimmy Chagra had told

him (Irwin) that Harrelson was

"good, real good at doing

Since this statement was related to James in the

about the murder of Judge wood, it was

mutually understood by James and Irwin that Jimmy Chagra's

statement had

reference to Harrelson's ability to "fill

contracts", e.g. murder for hire.

With regard to Jimmy Chagra's solicitation of

Jerry Ray James to procure six or eight individuals to

smuggle marijuana into the United States, as well as the

murder of a former witness against Chagra, James is firmly

convinced that if he refused to locate the individuals

for either "job" for Jimmy Chagra, Jimmy would reach out

and find someone else to do the work.

DocId: 32174310 Page 3

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## Page 4

recognit, in prerent ni think:

KC 89-319-SUB B

3.

James advised that while "B" and "D" cellblocks

are separate from each other, inmates are allowed to see

each other in the common area of the main building from

5:30

p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day. Located in this common

area are

such

and card

rooms.

Chagra generally in the pool hall area since Irwin has a

cell in

"D" cellblock.

James could not offer any explanation as to why

Mannerson since chant mutine else peda

as their bondsman; however, Apodaca is currently in

"serious

trouble" with IRS

and is under indictment.

James stated

that Jimmy Chagra had given Apodaca a sizeable amount of

jewelry to secure his

bond in his last drug case.

Jimmy

Chagra later replaced the jewelry with $500,000 cash and

eventually "skipped" bond and was a federal

fugitive.

James also stated that the Warden at Leavenworth

saw a friend of James in the hallway and told him that

Jimmy Chagra would be transferred to "D" cellblock.

distantal to wil

DocId: 32174310 Page 4

....

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## Page 5

FD-S REV. 3-8-771

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

1.

Date of transcription 10/2/80

Jerry Ray James (PROTECT IDENTITY) advised that in

a recent conversation with fellow inmate. Travis Irwin on

Wednesday, September 24, 1980, as well as Saturday, September 27,

1980, Irwin advised James that he (Irwin) had spoken.tc

Jimmy Chagra on September 23 and 24, 1980.: At that time

Chagra told Travis Irwin that Charlie Harrelson was currentlv

in custody at Houston,

Texas, and Harrelson had previously

written a note allegedly admitting that he (Harrelson) was

responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,

as well as the murder of Judge Wood.

In addition, the note

was

alleged to have stated that while Harrelson personally

and solely assassinated Kennedy, he assisted Larry Culbreath

in the murder of Judge Wood and Culbreath actually fired the

weapon killing the Judge but Harrelson had planned the "hit"

and received payment for this contract.

Jimmy Chagra had related these facts to Irwin

shortly after Joe Chagra had visited Jimmy at Leavenworth

on September 23, 1980.

Joe Chagra had also stated that the

"note" was currently in the possession of law enforcement

officers and that he (Joe) had a "contact" with one of these

officers and was thus able to find out the contents of the

alleged note.

The note was supposedly recovered from Harrelson's

personal effects subsequent to his arrest

in early September, 1980.

Jimmy Chagra also advised Irwin that the final payment

• on the $200,000 assassination fee had just been made to Harrelson

in the last two or three months at El Paso, Texas.

This money

had been paid Harrelson but the exact amount of the balance

In conversation with Irwin, James has been able to

determine the facts concerning Jimmy Chagra and his relationship

with Charlie Harrelson.

According to Irwin, Jimmy Chagra

first met Charlie Harrelson when both were gambling, perhaps

poker, at Las Vegas, Nevada, just before Judge Wood was killed

in May, 1979. As a

result of this meeting in May, 1979, a

"contract" was given to Charlie Harrelson by Jimmy Chagra

against the life of Judge Wood. James did not exactly know

how. Irwin came to know these facts but believes Jimmy Chagra

had told Irwin.

Investigation on

9/30/80

Leavenworth, Kansas

Kansas City

_File # 89-319=SUB B-

by

SA Michael P. Shanahan :aa

_Date dictated_

10/2/80

898-250-Sul1-5344

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.

DocId: 32174310 Page 5

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## Page 6

FD

REV: 3-8-77)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

10/2/80

Jerry Ray James (PROTECT IDENTITY) advised that in

a recent conversation with fellow inmate Travis Irwin on

wednesday September

24, 1980,

fellow Wenate satis ty, september 27,

1980, Irwin advised James that he (Irwin) had spoken: to

At that time

in custody at Houston, Texas, and Harrelson had previously

written a note allegedly admitting that he Harrelson, was

responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy,

as well as the murder of Judge' Wood:

In addition, the note

was.

alleged to have stated that while Harrelson personally

and solely assassinated Kennedy, he assisted Larry Culbreath.

in the murder of Judge Wood and Culbreath actually fired' the

weapon killing the Judge but Harrelson had planned the "hit"

and received payment for this contract

Jimmy Chagra had related these facts to Irwin

shortly after Joe Chagra had visited Jimmy at Leavenworth

on September 23, 1980. Joe Chagra had also stated that the

"note" was currently in the possession of law enforcement

öfficers and that he (Joe) had a "contact" with one of these

officers and was thus able to find out the contents of the

alleged note. The note was supposedly. recovered from Harrelson's

personal effects subsequent to his arrest inearly September, 1980

Jimmy Chagra also advised Irwin that the final payment

on the s200,000 assassination fee had just been made to Harrelson

in the last two or three months at El Paso, Texas.

This money

had been paid Harrelson but the exact amount of the balance

payment was unknown by Irwin or James.

In conversation with Irwin, James has been able to

determine the facts concerning Jimmy Chagra and his relationship

with Charlie Harrelson.

According to Irwin;

Jimmy Chagra

First. met charlle Harrelson when both were gambling, perhaps

pokers at Las legas, Nevada; just before Judge Wood was "killed

in May, 1979. As a result of this meeting in May, 1979, a

"contract'' was given to Charlie Harrelson by Jimmy Chagra

against the life of Judge wood.

James did not exactly know

how Irwin came to know these facts but believes Jimmy. Chagra

had told Irwin.

Investigation oh.

9/30/80

Leavenworth, Kans as

Kansas City

LEe +89 - 319-SUB B-/

by

SA Michael-P. Shanahan: aa

Date dictated

• 10./ 2/80

898-250-Sib1-5244

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions.of the FBI. It.is.the property.of the FBl and is loaned to your agency;

it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency:

Docra 32174310 Page 6

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## Page 7

KC 89-319-SUB B

2•.

In conversation between Travis Irwin and Jerry

Ray James, both have discussed the facts which Jimmy

Chagra has told them concerning the murder of Judge wood.

It is the conclusion of both Irwin and James that. Jimmy

Chagra is truthful when he stated that he was responsible.

for

the death of Judge Wood, however, Travis Irwin doubts

the truthfulness of Harrelson's statements that Larry

Culbreath was the

"trigger man" at the murder of Judge Wood

Irwin has stated to James

that he knows

"everything Larry

Culbreath has done in his life," and Irwin stated that

Culbreath has denied any participation in the wood murder

and Irwin is confident that if in fact he (Culbreath) were

Involved, Irwin would have known of it by now.

James. stated

that he trusts Irwin's statements regärding Culbreath and

Irwin: thinks. "of James as

a, "god". and

"looks up to James"

and would not withhold anything, from him. James advised Irwin

and Culbreath had grown up together in Texas and have been

friends in excess of twenty years:

isin

Irwin had also determined from either Jimmy Chagra

or Culbreath himself that Culbreath was arrested either the

day after or two days after the wood murder while Culbreath

was

driving Harrelson's car from San Antonio to Pleasanton,

Texas."

James did not know the nature of the arrest and only

that it occurred between San Antonio and "Pleasanton, Texas.

Irwin has also related to James. that just prior to James'

arrival at Leavenworth in June, 1980, Jimmy Chagra had told

him (Irwin) that Harrelson was "good, real good at doing

his job." Since this statement was related to James in

the

context of comments about the murder of Judge wood; it was

mutually understood by James and Irwin that Jimmy Chagra's.

statement had reference to Harrelson's ability to "fill

contracts"

e:g. murder for hire.

with regard to Jimmy Chagra's solicitation of

Jerry Ray James to procure six or eight individuals to

smuggle marijuana into the United States, as well as the

murder of a former witness against Chagra, James is firmly

convinced that if he refused to locate the individuals

for either "job" for Jimmy Chagra, Jimmy would reach out

and. find someone else to do the work.

Viti

DocId: 32174310 Páve 7

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## Page 8

KC 89-319-SUB B

3.

James advised that while "B! and "D" cellblocks

are

separate from each other, inmates are allowed to see

each other in the common area of the main building from

5:30 p.m.

to 9:00 p.m.

each day.

Located in this common

area are such facilities as the barbership, pool hall,

and card rooms. Travis Irwin would see and talk to Jimmy

Chagra generally in the pool hall area since Irwin has a

cell in "D" cellblock."

Joe Chaera pous ed temple to y curla tood as to why.

•Harrelson since Chagras had routinely utilized Vic Apodaca

as their bondsman; however, Apodaca is currently in

"serious

trouble"

with IRS and is under indictment.

James stated

that Jimmy Chagra had given Apodaca a sizeable amount of

jewelry to secure his bond in his last drug case.

Jimmy

Chagra later replaced the jewelry with $500;000 cash and.

eventually "skipped" bond and was a federal fugitive.

James also stated that the Warden at Leavenworth

saw a

friend of" James

in the hallway and told him that

Jimmy

Chagra would be transferred to D" cellblock.

DocId: 32174310 Paye 8

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