SAC Denver to SAC Seattle re Riverton, Wyoming inquiries on Cooper suspect

3/25/75

AIRTEL AIRMAIL, REGISTERED

TO: SAC, SEATTLE (164-81) FROM: SAC, DENVER (164-98)(P)

SUBJECT: NORJAK

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Sub 748 [illegible cursive annotation] 164-81-1a (498)

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Re Denver airtel to Seattle, 2/10/75.

Enclosed for Seattle for investigative assistance is one copy of a photograph of JOHN DEAN COOPER taken during the year 1969.

The following investigation was conducted by SA CHARLES M. WOJCIESZAK at Worland, Wyoming:

On 2/24/75, Sheriff JAMES WARILLA, Washakie County Sheriff's Office, advised he was personally familiar with JOHN COOPER, aka JACK COOPER, inasmuch as JOHN COOPER resided in the area of Tensleep, Wyoming, from approximately 1970 until the first of 1975. He further advised COOPER did not have a criminal record; however, he was the type of person who would commit questionable acts. He advised COOPER, on occasion, would borrow items from friends and then sell those items. Sheriff WARILLA stated he could never find anyone who would prosecute COOPER. He further advised the person knowing most about COOPER would probably be one [redacted], [redacted] Wyoming.

Sheriff WARILLA advised COOPER was previously married [redacted]. Sheriff WARILLA further stated that to the best of his knowledge COOPER was gone on several

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Sub 748

2 - Seattle (Enc. 1)(AM, RM) 1 - Portland (164-41)(Info)(AM, RM) 3 - Denver CMW:vlr (6)

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164-81-6507

SEARCHED ____ INDEXED ____ SERIALIZED ____ FILED ____ MAR 28 1975 FBI - SEATTLE

DB COOPER-54206

DN 164-98

occasions during the latter part of 1970; however, he could not recall any of the specifics due to the lapse of time.

On 3/13/75, [REDACTED] supra (PROTECT), made available a photograph of JOHN DEAN COOPER, which was taken on an unrecalled date in 1969. [REDACTED] advised he would make available the photograph and furnish any information available to him if his identity would be protected. [REDACTED] reiterated what Sheriff WARILLA had stated regarding COOPER. In addition, he advised it would not be beneficial to interview WAYNE COOPER, Rural Route, north of Worland, father of JOHN DEAN COOPER, due to his age, senility, and lack of contact with his son.

On 3/13/75, AVIS COOPER, Rural Route, north of Worland, stepmother to JOHN DEAN COOPER, advised her stepson sold his small ranch at Tensleep, Wyoming, during the latter part of 1974 and moved to British Columbia, Canada. She advised her stepson was an ex-paratrooper, having been discharged from the service in 1969. She further stated she could not recall his present address; however, she had given it to her stepdaughter, Mrs. BETTY CONRAD, Rural Route, Riverton, Wyoming. AVIS COOPER advised she could not furnish any information regarding JOHN DEAN COOPER, aka JACK COOPER, J. D. COOPER, since neither she nor her husband were very close to JOHN COOPER. She concluded by stating she had received one letter from JOHN COOPER in which he advised he and [REDACTED] had purchased a "homestead" in Canada. He additionally commented life was quite tough inasmuch as they did not have running water, electrical lights, or plumbing.

At Riverton, Wyoming:

On 3/17/75, Mrs. BETTY CONRAD, supra, reluctantly advised that her brother, JOHN DEAN COOPER, was presently residing on a remote ranch in British Columbia, Canada, and had a mailing address of [REDACTED] British Columbia. No further questions were asked CONRAD due to her reluctancy to answer same.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

Receiving offices should bear in mind not to display the enclosed photograph to persons being familiar with [REDACTED] or the [REDACTED] inasmuch as it might compromise [REDACTED]

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DB COOPER-54207

DN 164-98

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Any leads regarding the Legat at Ottawa are being left to the discretion of the office of origin due to Denver not being familiar with the full extent of the investigation.

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LEADS:

THE DENVER DIVISION:

AT CHEYENNE, WYOMING and DENVER, COLORADO: Investigation continues.

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DB COOPER-54208