Thomas N. Casey

“ When interviewed by a reporter in January 1981, SHANNON RYAN stated that SUBJECT's followers would kill themselves or others if SUBJECT asked them to do so. SHANNON RYAN was a resident of the Antelope “ashram” as of September 16, 1981 according to voter registration records.
In the opinion of writer SUBJECT and/or his closest associates are opportunistic charlatans deriving a handsome income from his “disciples”. In brief, SUBJECT appears to absolve his followers from the restraints of personal responsibility in exchange for substantial amounts of money. ”

“ SUBJECT is native and citizen of India, who last entered the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for pleasure June 1, 1981. The Service subsequently granted him an extension of stay to March 1, 1982. Meantime, SUBJECT’s followers have purchased a large, isolated ranch in central Oregon for him and are seeking its incorporation as the city of Rajneeshpuram. SUBJECT and some 200 disciples, many of whom are apparent aliens, presently reside on the ranch. ”

“ Many of the members appear to be middle-class, relatively affluent Westerners. The hierarchy of the organization seems comprised of shrewd, dedicated persons with considerable funds at their disposal. Although great efforts are made by these persons to present their group as peaceable and law abiding, writer believes that they could become very deceptive and intractable if it were to their advantage.
On November 18, 1981 Inspector JESTEN of the Portland, Oregon office advised that he had been contacted by a United States citizen of Filipino extraction shortly before. ”

“ An undated xerox copy of the Sunday Review section of the Times of India, attached as Exhibit “A”, gives one writer’s views of SUBJECT and his followers shortly after his departure from India. According to the article, continued friction between SUBJECT’s “ashram” (meditation center) and local populace and authorities inspired his departure.
SUBJECT’s arrival in Oregon was preceded by the purchase of a 64,229-acre ranch in July 1981 by his Chidvilas Rajneesh Meditation Center, 154 Valley Road, Montclair, New Jersey. ”

“ Writer’s companions inquired as to SHEELA SILVERMAN’s whereabouts, to be told that she and SHELFER were at The Dalles, Oregon some 100 miles to the north. One ISABELLE MEGRET DE SERILLY D’ETIGNY ET TEIL DE CHAPELAINE announced that she was the “press person” and proceeded to act as a liason person during writer’s stay at the ranch. Writer was able to examine her passport and I-94, arrival-departure form. That, combined with conversation, established that she was a native of Chile and citizen of France, born in Chile [redacted] . ”

“ All persons present were observed to be dressed in work-type clothing, which was uniformly of a maroon color. In addition, all parties appeared to be wearing “salas”, wooden-beaded necklaces with a photo of SUBJECT as a pendant. With the exception of a dinner break, all persons observed were noted to be busily engaged at various tasks of moving, building and so forth. ”