Agency: HSCA
Originator: FBI
Document date: 06/27/1968
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

10/21/20

AGENCY :

RECORD NUMBER :

RECORD SERIES :

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

HSCA

180-10110-10189

SECURITY CLASSIFIED FILES

Released under the John

F. kennedy

Assassination Records

Collection det of 1992

(44 USC 2107 Note) •

Case#:NW 54756 Date:

10-31-2017

Document Information

ORIGINATOR:

FROM:

TO :

TITLE :

FBI

DATE: 06/27/1968

PAGES:

8

SUBJECTS :

OSWALD, LEE, PRE-RUSSIAN PERIOD, ASSOCIATES AND

RELATIVES

DOBKINS, JAMES EDWARD

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Confidential

RESTRICTIONS: 3

CURRENT STATUS: Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 06/09/1998

OPENING CRITERIA:

COMMENTS: Box 2.

v9.1

HH 54756

DocId: 32263594

Page 1

---

## Page 2

Classiel Misternal Pimenied Sres

HSCA

2 3-1975

Valurae:

HH 54756 DooId:32263594 Page 2

---

## Page 3

CONFIDENTIAL

B I

Date:

6/27/68

Transmit the following in .

4

Vịo -

_AII

AIR MAIL

ON

(Priority)

Ties

773

1- PE

EXEMPT FROM

ADA CATEGORY S

TO DIRECTOR, FBI (105-160761)

DATE OF DECLASSIFICATION INDEFINITE

6-₴9.?

FROM SAC, Indianapolis (105-4896) (P)

PARAGRAPHS

NOT MARKEL

ииааsз1рів0.

REVIET

JAMES EDWARD

DOBKINS

IS - R

assassination

TASK PORCE

Hailed.

00:

RELEASE:

IN FULL

San Francisco

KENNE RELEASE IN PART

Re San Francisco letter to Bureau 5/R5FA68ENIAL

There are enclosed herewith for the Bureau the original

and 10 copies of an IHM dated and captioned as above.

1WO

copies each are enclosed for Pittsburgh and El Paso and four

copies for San Francisço.

Enclosed IHM is being prepared by Indianapolis in

accordance with instructions set forth by Bureau 07 Form

dated 6/5/68. These instructions also stated to furnish

San Francisco with extra copies for dissemination to U.S.

Secret Service.

AYCLOSULA

Iwo copies of enclosed LiM are being disseminated to

Pittsburgh in view of their file 76-2515 entitled "TERRY LEE

BERG, aka - FUGITIVE; PAROLE VIOLATOR". In this regard,

San francisco should note that the Pittsburgh Division may

AND FIFLD OFFICES

ADVISED BY RI

C. • Bishop

Bureau (RM) CENC. - 1ENCLOSUTL

(1 - 76-TERRY LEE BERG)

105-16077

2 - Pittsburgh: (RM) (Enc. 92) (76-2515)

2 - El Paso (RM) (Enc. = 2) (105-1777)

T2 JOL)

1968

:4 - San Francisco (RM) (Enc. = 4) (105-22877)

(1 - 76-TERRE LEE BERG)

62-109060

43 - Indianapolis (1 - 105-4896)

(US. Secret Service, Ind

CORDED

10N

se/U

4.

195đ

49549)

199 JUL 10-1968

SenCONFIDENTIAN

.M

Per

ant In Charro

---

## Page 4

IF 105-4896

request consideration of an interview with subject JAMES EDLARD

DOBKINS in connection with this case since the possibility

exists that this subject had been traveling with JAMES EDHARD

DOBKINS on DOBKINS'

return trip from Washington, D. C., in

December, 1966, and possibly BERG was transported by DOBKINS

to South

Bend, Indiana, where BERG stole a vehicle on

12/23/66.

Subject was identified entering the Soviet Embassy in

Washington, D. C., on 12/19/66 while driving a Volkswagen bearing

1966 Texas

license CZH 730, through photographs by SA DONALD

J. KC LAUGHLIN on 1/19/67.

He was also identified in this

regard through photographs by. attorney: GARLAND CASEBIER at

Midiand, Texas, on 2/27/67.

All contacts at Indiana University, Bloomington,

Indiana, in this case were made through established sources

only. Records of the University were made available by

MiSs BEULAH YOUNG, Office of Records and Admissions, Indiana

University.

Information regarding WILLIAM RAY DOBKINS, brother of

the subject, has evidently been disseminated previously to

U. S. Secret Service, but 1s summarized herein to complete the

background of subject JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS. No description

is being set forth in this LHM for JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS since

Insufficient data is available to the Indianapolis Division in

this regard at this time.

FD-128 has been submitted with appropriate Serials to

change Office of Origin in this captioned matter to San Francisco.

-LEADS-

EL PASO

At El Paso, Texas

Will review enclosed IM upon receipt and advise Bureau

and San Francisco of any additional pertinent Information

AH. 54756 • DocId: 32263594 Page 4

Confidential

---

## Page 5

17 105-4896

concerning the subject or members of his family, not available

to the Indianapolis Division. In event such information 1s

available, will submit in Letterhead Memorandum suitable for

dissemination with appropriate copies to U. S. Secret Service,

PITTSBURGH

At Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Will furnish the Bureau and San Francisco with

sufficient background information concerning the case entitled

"TERRY LEE BERG, aka Maurice Edwin Collins - FUGITIVE; PAROLE

VIOLATOR' for consideration of Bureau authority to contact

subject. concerning BERG.

•3=.

CONFIDENTIAL

- HH 54756

DocId:32263594 Page 5

---

## Page 6

COMFIDENTIAL C

UNITED STATES DEPARIMENY OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BURLAU OP INVESTIGATION

la Repty, Flacon Rafar 1o

File Na

Indianapolis, Indiana

June 27, 1968

DECTASSITIED BY STeS SL0/mch

34

(FEK)

JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS

2640

CLASS:FIED 8!

DATE OF DECLASS ICATION INDEFINITE

6-29-28

VOT MARNES

PARAGRAPHS

ARE

UNCLASSIPIED.

James Edward Dobkins was positively Identified as

a person who visited the Soviet Embassy In Washington, D. C..

on December 19, 1966. At the time of this visit, he was

driving a Volkswagen Sedan bearing 1966 Texas license

CZH 730.

Records of Indiana University (IU), Bloomington,

Indiana, reflected on January 3, 1967, that James Edward

Dobkins was born on March 9, 1940, place not given..

He

drives a 1959 black Volkswagen sedan bearing Texas license

CZH 730.

His Social Security Number 1s listed as

459-64-0853 and his parents were listed as Charles Martin

Dobkins, Sr., and Nonis Lillene Reed Dobkins, 415 South Main

Street,

Monahans, Texas. On his registration form at Indiana

University, he listed his marital status as single and

stated that he had no church preference. He stated that

he was employed last semester for twenty hours a week at

the University of Texas, Steno Bureau, Campus Mail Delivery.

He stated that he was registered with local Board 105,

Pecos, Texas, under Selective Service Number 41-105-40-81.

Dobkins registered at IU in Bloomington, Indiana,

on September 15, 1966, as a Graduate Student in the

Department of Linguistics, stating that he expected to

receive a M.A. Degree in June, 1968. During this time

he was residing at Post Office Box 356, Graduate Residence

Center, a men's dormitory for Graduate Students at IU.

In connection with a possible trip to Washington,

hEW pi December Hk 1966, It was noted that the Christmas

ON 314/51 ON

COMPOENTIAL

I RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

54756 TOTAEaDENWNa594

Page

ENCLOSURE

ONEIDEA

---

## Page 7

COMP DENTIAL

JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS

vacation recess at IU was officially from December 21, 1966,

to January 4, 1967.

Dobkins had a fellowship with the Linguistics

Department, but gave the fellowship up and left Indiana

University sometime during the beginning of the second

semester of the 1966-1967 academic year, exact date unknown.

He left his residence without reason and without leaving

& forwarding address. The date of his leaving this residence

was not recorded in the records of Indiana University.

On May 31, 1967, George Welshelt, Secret Service

Agent at El Paso, Texas, advised that William Ray Dobkins,

brother of James Edward Dobkins, was interviewed by an Agent

of his Agency at St. Elizabeth's Hospital at the request of

the attending psychiatrist, Dr. David Grodsky, on May 24,

1967. At this time, William Ray Dobkins expressed an extreme

dislike for the President, blaming him for being part of a

group who instigated to have his ranch taken away from him.

Although the subject denied desiring the President dead, he

indicated that his brother, James Dobkins, may possibly

have

intentions of assassinating the President. As a result, the

medical staff at St, Elizabeth's Hospital recommended subject

be held for further treatment; however, subject was released

by the D. C. Mental Health Commission on May 25, 1967, to the

as of tie

custody of his family for his return to the address of his

brother, James Dobkins, at 211 Emerson, Houston, Texas.

Concerning William Ray Dobkins, the brother of

James Edward Dobkins, the following Information is set

forth:

William Ray Dobkins sent a letter to the Odessa

American Newspaper, Odessa, Texas, which was received by

that newspaper on March 6, 1967, containing a partially

burned draft card, which belonged to him.

A reporter for

=2=

CONFIDENTIAL

54756 DocId: 32263594 Page 7

---

## Page 8

COnFIDENTIAL

JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS

the Odessa American Interviewed William Ray Dobking at

Monahans, Texas, March 6, 1967, at which time Dobkins

admitted burning his card and claimed that he burned same

because he did not agree with the Vietnam War.

Willian Ray Dobkins was born January 16,

1937, at

McCamey, Texas, and resides with his parents at 307 South

Doris, Monahans, Texas. In November, 1966, he was 1n

contact with the Cuban Embassy In Mexico City and in 1964

he sent a letter to the Chairman of the Texans for Goldwater

containing a threat against President Lyndon B. Johnson,

the Governor of the State of Texas, and the Texas Railroad

Commissioner, James Langdon. Upon interview by FBI Agents,

1964, William Ray Dobkins clalmed to have met Lee Harvey

Oswald in California, while both were in the Marine Corps,

talked with Oswald about killing President Johnson, Governor

Connally, and James Langdon. Willian Ray Dobkins claimed to

have traveled to Mexico after his discharge from the Marine

Corps, in order to arrange a defection to the Soviet Union.

On May 8, 1967, Willian Ray Dobkins appeared

at the U. S. Department of State, Washington, D. C.,

attempting to obtain a passport. for travel to the Soviet

Union and other "black-listed countries" for the purpose

of defection. The following day, May 9, 1967, the Metropolitan

Police Department transported Willlam Ray Dobking to

St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D. C., when he

attempted to climb the iron fence around the White House.

The following additional information concerning

William Ray Dobkins was furnished on May 31, 1967, by

George Welshelt, U. S. Secret Service, El Paso, Texas:

DI. Grodsky of St. Elizabeth's Hospital is of

the opinion that Willlam Ray Dobkins 18 diagnosed as a

schizophrenic, paranoid type, and that he considers the

= 3-

COMFIDENTIAL

HH 54756 DooId: 32263594 Page 8

---

## Page 9

COMFTOENTIAL

JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS

subject dangerous. William Ray Dobkins' family came to

Washington, D. C., to be present at the D. C. Mental Health

Commission hearing and requested that William Ray Dobking be

released to their custody for return to Texas. DI. Grodsky

recommended that due to William Ray Dobking' profound disl1ke

of the President and his paranoid ideas, that he be held for

further treatment and eventually transferred to an institution

in his state of residence.

At the Mental Health Commission hearing in

Washington, D. C., on May 25, 1967, DI. Grodsky derived the

opinion that William Ray Dobkins' mother, who was present,

was also mentally ill and expressed a profound dislike for

the President regarding their land problem.

Regarding Willian's two brothers, both of whon

attended the hearing and one whose name was

Janes Dobkins

of Houston, Texas, DI. Grodsky explained that the limited

Interview he had with them, no evidence of mental 1llness

was detected, although they both have similar complaints about

the President regarding their land being taken away. He stated

that in addition, the brothers indicated that they realize

that William Ray Dobkins was mentally 1ll, that he had gone

too far this time by visiting the White House, that they would"

return him to Houston for additional psychiatric treatment.

ilia

The D. C. Mental Health Commission released

" t

i.-.

William Ray Dobkins to the custody of his mother and two

brothers on May 25, 1967, for return to Houston, Texas,

for additional psychiatric treatment.

90d

TA2E

Agent Weishelt of the El Paso Office of Secret

Service continued that according to information received

from his Washington Office, which covered the intervlew

with William Ray Dobkins by an Agent of Secret Service in

Washington, William remained calm and collected during the

16137

12213

COHFIDENTIAL

- 400

54756 DocId: 32263594 Page. 9

---

## Page 10

CORFIDEMTIAL

JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS

Initial stages of the interview. William Ray Dobkins related

his extreme dislike of the President for being responsible

for the loss of his mother's 7,000 acre ranch in vest Texas.

William Ray Dobkins felt that the President and "his bunch"

which consists of Governor Connally and Judicial Officers

In Texas, were responsible for taking the ranch away from

then. Several times throughout the interview, Willian stated

that he would not make any attempt to kill the President,

since he was more good to him alive than dead. As the inter-

view continued, William displayed numerous signs of mounting

anxiety and nervousness and related evidence of paranoid-

type thinking. He closely associates himself in the image

of lee Harvey Oswald, comparing Oswald's history with his

Intentions of defecting to Cuba or the Soviet Union and his

prior U. S. Marine Corps service.

William Ray Dobkins was queried about his admittedly

visiting the State Department in Washington, D. C., and

the Soviet Embassy regarding intentions to defect.

W1111am

claimed that his purpose for going to the Soviet Union or to

Cuba would be to publicize the injustice and the scheme of

the President "and his bunch" taking the land away from his

family. When asked if he had visited the Soviet Embassy in

December, 1966, he replied in the negative but volunteered

the information that his brother, James, had visited the

Embassy inquiring about visiting

the Soviet Union.

When questioned of his feelings regarding the

assassination of President Kennedy, he replied that he

thought Oswald was a good man and

that assassinating the

President was a "good thing" to do if it would prove

his

point or bring to the attention of the Nation a particular

problem. At this point, William reiterated that he had not

thought of assassinating the President, nor would he gain

assassinating the President; however, if the President was

killed, he certainly would not be remorseful about 1t.

- 5-

COMFIDENTIAL

54756 Docid:32263594 Page 10

---

## Page 11

COMFIDENTIAL

JAMES EDWARD DOBKINS

With regard to his brother, James', visit to the

Soviet Embassy, William Ray Dobkins stated that when he left

Texas to visit Washington, he told his brother James his

intention of coming to Washington to find out about, a

"Presidential land holder" which directed that his family!s

case regarding their land problem, be revieved, and that he

was leaving for the Soviet Unlon.

His brother, James,

replied that he would think about the matter some more and,

if necessary, what he (James) was going to do would be worse

than defecting. William Ray Dobkins volunteered his Impression

of his brother's statement that he was intending on

assassinating the President. He further stated that if his

brother had any intention of assassinating the President,

he would not do anything to stop him, since he feels that

his brother would ultimately be judged justifiable in his

actions in a subsequent trial after the country and jury

learn the true facts about their land plight.

•It was the opinion of the Secret Service Agent,

concurted to by Dr. Grodsky, that William was intelligent,

cunning, defensive, and hostile, and when pushed or under

stress, as exhibited by the interview, he exhibits underlying

paranoid ideas. It was also evidencedthat William was not

speaking out his full feelings or intentions.

It was also the opinion of the Secret Service

Agent that William Ray Dobkins should be considered of

extreme protective interest due to his profound dislike

of the President; his underlying paranoid ideas of his

comparison with lee Harvey Oswald, and his thoughts about

assassination to prove his plight; coupled together with

his cunningness, hostility, intelligence, and defensive

attitude.

mie:

On May 20, 1968, Special Agent Larry D. Newmen,

U. S. Secret Service, San Francisco, California, advised

COMFIDENTIAL

-6.

NY 54756 DocId:32263594

• Page 11

---

## Page 12

COMPIDENTIAL

JAMES EDWARD DOBKIDE

that he had located James Edward Dobkins at 1044 Guerrero

Street,

San Francisco, California, but due to James Edward

Dobkins uncooperative attitude, he was unable at that time

to obtain any information concerning his employment.

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions

of the FBI.

It i8 the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; lt and its contents are not to be distributed

outside your agency.

JAYVIEONHOS

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

54756 DocId: 32263599 * Page 12

---

## Page 13

Naty Tenon

1-itr, Schutz

EHIFK TAOX PORCE

04. 319/5900

nig, vew Ontsana,

(erolosuré)

posien

on la

cicootas, aoa

(02-502)

DEE IN PERT

P Denpale

ISSASeiNeea

Ріки

hw F Kenss

10 Koy c2icamo

201804: 0/10/03

cantloued prduand.

voRoe vnutan, LiaDa o 10oP ane

onczosises, cuetetos

thxy

Hni onmn tioa os

Bon

asselos and pouarea

mneos do Orleaos lolter

cytsod.

ohas v.

1are

cou rocos und ioutosama

Tastez es

ths Fousconlea

Cooas, deuspanes sooe.

o lotton to Chaczos

Lensatoro depsesodte tatoziu dou Ciloane

sic0ue

irua dehes,

aoe

caeo tat

out a

960t

os 4so 39ced9.09ys

seas nddteesed

2510

enss, 0iilee

coa

Metin's

ca.u

stdon

Tntors

tto sidrend.

sosacroul eo

tur Gozeuesris

1203

Nis Zouton

teuo

NLON0-19

4222ca.

Nouscos shoukd

aicee att cos urseo cosarnton os uo%a

osgushau costzacshscut cos ue teandys.

7 990:

olenas 1otccr

Kascciouay ehezos

351 2avos63t

Asichila casa ta:to dcoelga

GoNEERi

tỏop Puscaw on4

a odatsed oe. dov2

2400

62 109060 5

SOTAT

(783-530)

HOH ION

79 JULS

Dac

62-580

---