</s>Date:09/21/94 JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM Page:1 IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY INFORMATION AGENCY : HPSCI AGENCY NUMBER : 135-10001-10288 RECORD NUMBER: RECORDS SERIES : RECORGS SERIES: AGENCY FILE NUMBER # DOCUMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATOR : ROCK FROM : TO : TITLE : : : : : : : : : DATE : 04/04/75 PAGES : 55 SUBJECTS : TRANSCRIPT : MEMORANDUM OF DEPOSITION FOR THE RECORD. PARTICIPANTS: FRANK STURGIS, WILFREDO NAVARRO, ROBERT B. OLSEEN, JAMES N. ROETHE. DOCUMent TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION : T RESTRICTIONS : : OPEN IN FULL CURRENT STATUS : : : OPEN in FULL : : : : 0 : 09/21 /94 DATE OF LAST REVIEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : Contained in file entitled, "President's Commission 4/4/75" "O/R-III (D)" U25 Release Under the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Record Collection Act of 1992 (R) - ITEM IS RESTRICTED NW 78141 Dodc:322011373 Page 1

Frank Sturgis provided testimony in a 1975 deposition related to CIA activities, discussing his interactions with Bernard Barker and Cuban officials in 1961 regarding potential assassinations. He claimed Barker approached him about targeting Fidel Castro, Paulino León, and Che Guevara but refused without authorization. Sturgis denied involvement in planning or executing the JFK assassination or other U.S. political figures’ targeting, stating he was in Miami on November 22, 1963, watching TV coverage of the event and did not visit Dallas. He also mentioned discussions with Cuban officials about anti-Castro operations and interactions with Colonel Nichols at the U.S. Embassy Havana. In subsequent interviews, Sturgis speculated about potential conspiracies involving anti-Castro groups, Cuban-American crime syndicates, and CIA ties, though he denied direct links to JFK’s assassination. He referenced financial arrangements for a 1968 commando mission to free Cuban prisoners, logistical failures, and failed attempts to hijack a vessel near the Yucatan Peninsula. Sturgis also described an aborted 1960s operation off Belize involving CIA-linked figures like Rafael Hanscon and Ray Sanstrom, leading to arrests in British Honduras and deportation to Miami. He mentioned prior contacts with Howard Hunt, Sam Jenis, and other CIA operatives but denied direct involvement in assassination plots.  

Key People  
- Frank Sturgis: Central figure testifying about interactions with Barker, Cuban officials, and CIA-linked individuals; denied JFK assassination involvement.  
- Bernard Barker (Maucho): Approached Sturgis regarding potential assassinations of Castro, León, and Guevara.  
- E. Howard Hunt: Mentioned in context of CIA operations but not directly linked to JFK assassination.  
- Colonel Nichols: U.S. Embassy Havana official who discussed Cuban political targets with Sturgis.  
- Andrew St. George: Individual seeking to write a book about Sturgis; referenced in libel disputes.  
- Seymour Hersh: Journalist noted for publishing articles on covert activities, including claims about Sturgis.  
- Sam Jenis: Alleged CIA operative linked to Sturgis’s 1968 operation in Cuba.  
- Howard Anderson and Angus McNair: Americans captured and executed in Cuba during the Bay of Pigs era; mentioned as contacts of Sturgis.  

Key Locations  
- Miami, Florida: Sturgis’ residence during JFK assassination coverage and legal/interview discussions.  
- Havana, Cuba: Site of earlier anti-Castro planning discussions and U.S. Embassy interactions.  
- Dallas, Texas: Location of the JFK assassination; Sturgis denied being present.  
- Belize (British Honduras): Site of aborted 1960s CIA operation involving arrests and deportation to Miami.  
- Venezuela, Mexico (Guadalajara, Progresso), Dominican Republic: Locations tied to failed operations and anti-Castro activities.  

Key Events  
- 1961 discussions between Sturgis and Barker about potential assassinations of Cuban leaders.  
- Sturgis’ denial of involvement in JFK assassination or targeting U.S. officials; testimony from Miami on November 22, 1963.  
- Planning and failed execution of a 1968 commando mission to free Cuban prisoners, involving recruitment, logistical failures, and abandoned vessel attempts.  
- Aborted 1960s operation off Belize resulting in arrests by British Honduran authorities due to suspected CIA ties.  
- Legal disputes with TRUE MAGAZINE over libel claims; references to CIA activities during the Bay of Pigs invasion (1961).  
- Capture and execution of Howard Anderson and Angus McNair in Cuba, linked to Sturgis’ contacts.  

Key Organizations  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Implied involvement through connections with Sam Jenis, Howard Hunt, and anti-Castro operations; referenced as a potential sponsor of assassination plots.  
- U.S. Embassy Havana: Site of interactions between Sturgis and Colonel Nichols regarding Cuban political targets.  
- TRUE MAGAZINE: Publication accused of publishing libelous content about Sturgis’ activities.  
- Southern Air Transport Company: Alleged front organization linked to Sturgis’ recruitment efforts for operations.

JFK Declassified Files

135-10001-10288.pdf

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