SAC New Orleans to SAC Seattle re suspect Vernuce Albert Hoffke

FD-36 (Rev. [illegible]-14-74)

FBI

Date: 8/13/76

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Via ___AIRTEL___________ (Precedence)

TO: SAC, SEATTLE (164-81)

FROM: SAC, NEW ORLEANS (164-136)(P)

NORJAX AIRCRAFT HIJACKING

OO: Seattle

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Re Kansas City letter to Seattle, 11/4/75, and New Orleans airtel to Seattle, 1/29/76.

Enclosed for Seattle is one photograph of VERNUCE ALBERT HOFFKE, Louisiana State Police No. 60568.

For information of Seattle, [REDACTED] who is identical with the individual who telephonically contacted the Kansas City Division from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on 10/30/75, contacted SA EARL R. PETERSEN and Capt. [REDACTED] East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff's Office, on 8/10/76 and reiterated almost verbatim information contained in the FD-302 enclosed with Kansas City letter.

On the basis of information furnished by [REDACTED] records of the Shreveport, Louisiana, Police Department were checked, and VERNUCE ALBERT HOFFKE appears to be identical with the individual described by [REDACTED]. A photograph of HOFFKE and his record were obtained from Louisiana State Police files, Baton Rouge. This file contains descriptive and background information which appears to be identical with that furnished by [REDACTED].

[REDACTED] at interview even recalled that the individual whom he knew as "SLICK" had a small scar on his left cheek or temple. He further recalled that the name [REDACTED] or something similar as somehow associated with "SLICK."

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[handwritten, mostly illegible] ...738 164-81-1560 [guess] 11-1-81-7053 [guess] Sub-788 [guess]

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2 - Seattle (Enc. 1) 3 - New Orleans ERP:sdh (5)

Approved: [illegible signature] Sent _______ M Per _______ Special Agent in Charge

GPO : 1975 O - 590-992 DB COOPER-54762

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SEARCHED _____ INDEXED _____ SERIALIZED _____ FILED _____ AUG 16 1976 FILE _____ IN _____

NO 164-136

[REDACTED] further recalled that "SLICK" was assigned to either Pine or Oak Dormitory while at Louisiana State Peni- tentiary (LSP), Angola.

Upon obtaining the photograph of HOFFKE, [REDACTED] viewed a photographic line-up, although he failed to identify any of the photographs, including HOFFKE's as being identical with "SLICK." It was noted, however, that as the photographs were spread out in front of [REDACTED] he immediately and unconsciously placed his fingers on the photograph of HOFFKE, but then refused to identify HOFFKE as "SLICK."

The records maintained at the Louisiana State Police disclose that HOFFKE had been arrested by the Shreveport Police Department 9/12/64 on investigation of Armed Robbery. The prison file disclosed that HOFFKE was involved in the Armed Robbery of a service station in Shreveport, along with two other individuals, one of whom was charged in this rob- bery along with HOFFKE. HOFFKE committed the robbery by use of a sawed-off double barrel 16 gauge shotgun. HOFFKE was sentenced to 10 years at LSP, Angola. The record further revealed that HOFFKE was transferred from LSP, Angola, to LCIS, DeQuincy, Louisiana, on 11/4/65 and paroled from DeQuincy on 12/5/68. The record shows that while confined to Angola, he was assigned to the Pine Dormitory.

The record shows correspondents as LEO and DORTHY SCHREDER, father-in-law and mother of HOFFKE; GEORGE and FAY SWENGLER, brother-in-law and sister of HOFFKE. Both of the above names are similar to [REDACTED] The record further showed HOFFKE corresponded with [REDACTED] Idaho. [REDACTED] who also resided in [REDACTED] at the [REDACTED] HOFFKE is further shown as [REDACTED] Las Vegas, Nevada.

HOFFKE was paroled to State Parole Officer [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Lafayette, Louisiana, to be employed by C. B. CRIBBS Dredging and Towing, Lafayette. His parole was to expire on 10/3/74.

[REDACTED] was contacted on 8/12/76, at which time he advised that HOFFKE was paroled to him and his parole was suspended 2/5/71, meaning that HOFFKE no longer was re- quired to maintain regular contact. He stated he did not see [illegible, text cut off at bottom of page]

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DB COOPER-54763

NO 164-136

HOFFKE for a long period of time, but recalled that HOFFKE contacted him in June, 1974, to discuss pardon. He has not seen him since that time. He advised that the Lafayette telephone directory discloses VERNUCE A. HOFFKE residing at 1407 West University Avenue, Lafayette. The city direc- tory shows HOFFKE and wife WILDA at that address. HOFFKE shows his employment as driller for Dove Well Service, 120 Oakcrest Drive, and for Oil Field Service.

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HOFFKE is described as follows:

Race White Sex Male DOB 1/24/37 Height 5'10½" Weight 180 lbs. Hair Brown Eyes Blue Scars and marks Cut scar left temple Tattoos Eagle and flag left arm; parachute and wings upper right arm

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LEADS

SEATTLE

AT SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. Will based on above infor- mation and photograph consider HOFFKE suspect, noting he is possibly identical with "SLICK," and will display photograph to available witnesses.

NEW ORLEANS

AT LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA. Will trace employment of HOFFKE from prior to hijacking until after hijacking to deter- mine HOFFKE's whereabouts at time of hijacking. Note that HOFFKE has friends and relatives in the far west and may have been on vacation.

ARMED AND DANGEROUS.