JFK Case: SPEED LETTER: BOBBIE JOE KEESEE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00563751
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: September 12, 2023
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2023
• Case Number: F-2021-01570
• Publication Date: August 21, 1974

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SPEED LETTER
��������
REPLY REQUESTED
DATE
21 August 1974
MOO,
XX
YES
NO
LETTER NO.
m W1/COO, 3 D 54
. ATTN:
FROM:
Chief, OSVOC, 2B11, X1886
Please check your files for any indications that
Subject has ever been employed or associated in any
way with the Agency. Your reply is requested by COB
26 August 1974.
1.) t_Lf...n, A.-- TA
/L Y.
(b)(3)
(b)(6)
SIGNATURE
(b)(3)
(b)(6)
REPLY
DATE
9 dc
WH/COG Desk traces on Bobbie Joe Keesee were turned
over to,
, OSG/OC,on 23 August 74. Also given (b)(3)
to were IP trace documents requested by tLe (b)(6)
Cuba Desk,upon learning that the'requirement levied .on
the Cuba Desk was for desk trades only. The desk trace refs
are included in KEESEE's 201/file except for DCE-14550, 15
May 1962, located in file 100L50.0, held in IP Files.
We note that in two of the references, DCE-14550 and D132!
10152, KEESEE claimed CIA employment, which was proven untrue.
We have no operational card on KEESEE or other references,
other than those cited 1 indicating that KEESEE was ever
employed by or associated with the Agency.
4 --
Chris Hopkins
WH/COG/CI
23 Aug 74
SIGNATURE
HE Tfi RN TO ORIGINATOR
M1.01����������.Mir
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42.
21 August 1974
. MEMORANDUM FOR: DD/Security for Policy and Management -4 ,
Executive Assistant to Director of Personnel
Chief, OSG/OC
SUBJECT : Bobbie Joe Keesee Request for Name Check
REFERENCE : Ltr to DCI fm Asst. U.S. Atty, S.D. Cal., dtd
9 Aug 74, re: United States v. Bobbie Joe Keesee
1. The subject individual has been indicted on serious federal
criminal charges in California. He may attempt some defense based on
alleged employment by the Agency, or in some other manner attempt to
obscure the real issues in his case by alleging CIA involvement in his
activities (see referent letter).
2. It is requested that you determine, from records or otherwise,
whether Bobbie Joe Keesee has even been-employed by or associated in-- any-.
manner with the Agency. An early response will be appreciated.
Attachments
GEORGE W. CLARKE
Office of General Counsext--
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1A2PLY TO
, STATES ArTokseir
AND 'REPER TO
.KITIALS AND NUAiDER
�
SGN/11d
tnUc33cirmj1ttetr1 cif ?justice
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
UNITCD STATES COURTHOUSE
325 WEsr F STRELT
SAN DIEGO 92101
August 9, 1974
Mr. William E. Colvy, Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C. 20505
Re: United States v. Bobbie Joe Keesee
Criminal Case No. 74-1158
Dear Mr. Colvy:
((;/, 79 _ .>
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TEl
. [phone]
The above-referenced individual is presently under
indictment in the Southern District of .California for the
kidnapping of Vice Consul John S. Patterson who disappeared
from his post on March 22, 1974, at the American Consulate
in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, and whose decomposed body
was discovered on July 7, 1974, in an arroyo approximately
8 miles from Hermosillo. Keesee is charged in count one
with conspiring to kidnap Patterson. Counts two, three,
and four charge him with travel across state lines and in -
.foreign commerce to faCilitate and perpetrate the -kidnapping
Count five charges him with mailing a handwritten extortion
note to the American Consulate in Hermosillo from San Diego.
[A copy "Of the indictment, as well as a copy of Keesee's rap
sheet are enclosed.] Keesee may, if.certain presently
unresolved jurisdictional requirements are met, shortly be
charged with the actual murder in addition to the five counts
adverted to abc4e.
As you are no doubt aware, Keesee has a number of
federal felony convictions, one of which involved an airplane
which he stale and flew into Cuba in 1962. He was later
indicted in the District of New Mexico and ultimately convicted.
However, during the course of the trial in late 1963, he alleged
that his escapade across the country and eventually into Cuba
was carried out at the request and direction of the C.I.A.
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Mr. William E. Colby
- 2 - August 9, 1974
A
he jury fortunately recognized the absurdity of his story
and convicted him. However, prior to trial, your agency was
requested to supply, if necessary, a witness N`aho could refute
such a bizarre tale. Although no direct testimony on tbis
.issue was necessary, you agreed to supply such a person
should the need arise. [I have also enclosed copies of your
correspondence with the U. S. Attorney for your convenience.]
I am afraid insofar as Bobbie Joe Keesee is concerned, history
seems to repeat itself every 10 years. Keesee is now telling
his attorney, has already told a number of agents, and may
assert at trial, a similar type story, i.e., that his
involvement in the above-referenced case arose out of his
relationship with C.I.A. operatives and unidentified
international conspirators. Although this obviously sods .;
a little ludicrous, Keesee has tried it before and is capable
of trying it again. Considering that he spent 29 months as
a civilian P.O.W. in North Vietnam and' in the process had his
teeth knocked out and all of his toenails ripped out, anything
is possible.
It would be appreciated if you could state in letter
or memo form whether Keesee has ever been employed by the
C.I.A I am hopeful that a categorical denial of any C.I.A.
employment or sanction will satisfy his defense attorney and
deter him from pursuing this line of .defense. Please be asauied
that I will not call a C.I.A. employee as a witness unless it
becomes actually necessary.
CC:
Very truly yours,
HARRY D. STEWARD
Unite'62States Attorney
ss,
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STEPHEN G. NELSON
Assistant U. S. Attorney
Chief, Criminal Division
Mr. John S. Warner
Legal Counsel
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C. 20505
AIR MAIL
Enclosures
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"KEASEE, Bc!..,py Joe CUBA .
DPOB; 18 Feb 34, Wheeler, Texas. Deserted
1
t US Army, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, ,on 30 Jan 62
44- & flew to Cuba 23 Mar 62 where he �asked for
political asylum. Was returned to Miami 16
May 62. Has been arraigned before fed. gov it
officials in Miami. Claimed to have been
contacted by one Buddy Carson in Dec 61 in New
Mexico and recruited for work with CIA. Claim
of CIA employment proven untrue. Subj then
stated he had been employed by two "Spaniards"
to fly them to Cuba.
(DCE-14550, 15 May 62)
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KEESEE, Bobby Joe
Subj is a forger U.S. Arr:7 Enlisted Man SN: RA 2598/4618.
. .
Subj deserted U.S. Arry and flew a-ronted plane fratq
Albuquerque, N.M. to Cuba.. Subj clained he was in contact
with a CIA agent and eTzployed by CIA to fly plane to Cube,
.(SOURCE: DBA 10152, 23 Yz 62 file 100.500)
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414.4 KEESEE, BOBBY JOE
-
100-500 ic\F
4110 SEX M DOB 19 FEB 34 _g�6_-10671 11*-'3'
USA, TEXAS, WHEELER 11 MAY 62
CIT-USA PI
�OCC ?
AKA KELLY, BOB
RE FLIGHT TO CUBA AND ACTIVITIES WHILE IN
CUBA.
1*019
0818554
FV�12.,.:. Bar:, J. CUM
aka B. J. Kelly, Bob Kelly
Subj. a US Army Sergeant. landed c. light civilian plume at Fabana Airrort 23 Mn? 62. described,
himself se a VS Arm deserter und asked ;unties' asylum. ar:7 here said subject. .n. hut i
been listed us c deserter since 23 :et: left his post at it. RuachUca.-ArironS. 15 Jell. Wks
home Is listed as Amarillo. Texas. gubj sap assignel as an Operator of a .f114ht simulation I
training device and did not lave access to any ee aa to. Also uzoer investigation :
for "raising boom' ciecks sal for forgery.. So indication whether any attempt would be made
to have hip returned to this cctintry.
rwnelingter Post, 25 Mar 62, filed 10-7-12) .
,
Subj landed a single engine plane at Havana, Cuba, Libertad Airport on 23 Karch 1962. Subj
ppoars to he identical with Bobby Joe Krouse, Army Serial No. 25911.618, shaent without leave :
from Fort HUachuca, Arizona, has ben chnrced with interstate trans;oriction of a stolen
motor vehicle based on a. Federal warrant looted 16 BArch 1962, believed responaille for
paasing a nu:e�or of fraudulent checks at a in=ber of military installations In Alaska,
Washington, Oklahoma, Idaho ani Florida, described as white, mile, born 16 February 1931a,
in Texas, holcht 5' 61 to 51 8", 'eight leo to 170 lbe., ream build, linht brown hair and
gray eyes, reportedly boo received t.aining as a paracLute jump instructor and tee licensed i
pilot. (SOURCE: DBt 06)15 26 larch 1962 file 19.500
DOE.14550, 15 May 62, filed: 100%500, info as above.
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