Interview re Merlin Eugene 'Coop' Cooper, Hermiston, Oregon

FD-302 (REV. 3-10-82)

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

- 1 - Date of transcription 10/12/88

[REDACTED], Hermiston, Oregon, telephone number [REDACTED], advised that she knew an individual by the name of MERLIN EUGENE COOPER, who she referred to as "COOP." This individual joined the Elks Club in Hermiston, Oregon, to her knowledge, and had a checking account at the Inland Empire Bank. [REDACTED] advised she considered COOPER a "con man" and did not like him or accept him. She advised she had caught him in many lies. She advised that most of the time she just tolerated him and tried to be civil. She advised she knew he had taken advantage of [REDACTED] Jane Miller, and would take things from her and sell them which would never show up again. She advised [REDACTED] trusted him but she did not.

[REDACTED] advised that [REDACTED] [REDACTED], introduced him to [REDACTED], who met him in Eugene, Oregon. He lived with [REDACTED] from [REDACTED] [REDACTED] in 1968, through 1969, or 1970, roughly. He had lived in Hermiston, Oregon, one to two years then went back to Oklahoma.

[REDACTED] advised that on one occasion, all of a sudden, he told her that [REDACTED] and him were married.

[REDACTED] advised that COOPER went back to Oklahoma the first part of 1971, or 1972, she could not recall for sure, upon the invitation [REDACTED] in Muskogee, Oklahoma, then [REDACTED] went back later and joined him.

[REDACTED] advised that she had tried to convince [REDACTED] Jane Miller, that COOPER was not trustworthy, [REDACTED] would not listen, this caused friction.

Again [REDACTED] characterized COOPER as "a good con man" who was very congenial on the surface, had a good gift of gab, was fairly intelligent, articulate, and smooth. [REDACTED] recalled that COOPER's voice was medium to low pitch, very normal sounding. She advised that he smoked, although, she could not recall the intensity of his habit.

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Investigation on 3/10/88 at Hermiston, Oregon File # PD 164A-41-1976

by SA SAMUEL A. MC PHETERS SAM: Date dictated 3/10/88

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.

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DB Cooper-43720

FD-302a (Rev. 11-15-83)

PD 164A-41

Continuation of FD-302 of [REDACTED], On 3/10/88, Page - 2 -

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[REDACTED] advised she never knew where COOPER was from, he had lived in Hillsboro, Oregon, for awhile, just before moving to Hermiston, Oregon. He managed a service station for [REDACTED] in Hillsboro, Oregon, for awhile, then he offered to help her with the farm in Hermiston, Oregon. He never worked much.

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[REDACTED] advised she usually tried to avoid his conversation because she did not like him. She advised he would use [REDACTED] money to support other women. He was in a lot of taverns in Umatilla, Oregon.

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[REDACTED] described COOPER as follows:

Nickname COOP Race White Sex Male Nationality American Height 6'0" Weight 180 to 190 pounds Build Medium Waist Thirty-four Shoulders Not very broad, although fairly well built, giving a healthy impression Hair Medium brown, parted, combed back Other Wore sunglasses Complexion Medium, possibly darker from being outdoors; possibly having an Italian aspect Facial Hair Medium sideburns

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[REDACTED] advised [REDACTED] COOPER nice clothes and several suits. COOPER used to wear a dressy coverall outfit.

[REDACTED] advised that there were times when COOPER left for several periods of time, usually just a few days or a week at a time.

[REDACTED] advised COOPER had been found dead in Oklahoma.

[REDACTED] advised that COOPER is the type of person who would have taken anybody for anything.

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DB Cooper-43721

FD-302a (Rev. 11-15-83)

PD 164A-41

Continuation of FD-302 of [REDACTED] [REDACTED] , On 3/10/88 , Page - 3 -

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[REDACTED] advised that [REDACTED] are listed as follows:

[REDACTED], Hillsboro, Oregon

[REDACTED], address currently unknown.

[REDACTED], home evenings, works at [REDACTED], husband [REDACTED] residence [REDACTED] [REDACTED], Muskogee, Oklahoma.

[REDACTED] Boise, Idaho, telephone number [REDACTED], employed by [REDACTED] telephone number [REDACTED].

[REDACTED] looked at the composite photograph of D.B. COOPER sketch from 1971, and advised she thought the chin was very good but the face was a little more angular than what she could recall COOPER's face being.

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b6 b7C

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DB Cooper-43722