◆ SpookStack

AQ 198-541 If the Albuguerque FBi Office is expected to broaden its examination of the cattle mutilation,' additional manpower. would be necessary. The scope of the cattle mutiliation problem in the United states is vast and.coordination of expected future investigation would be so broad.that the manpower currently assigned to the Albuguerque Cffice could not cope with the problem. .At the present time, the number of. additional Agents necessary for such an investigation could not be estimated by the Albuquerque FBl Office. Reairtel authorized the Albuquerque FBi to'investigate the mutilations of 15 animals which have reportedly occurred on Indian lands within the State of New Mexico. Further investigation of these mutilations is an impossibility because of the fact that the carcasses of the animals have been destroyed The only purpose which could be served in making inguiry about these matters would be to compile a record of what investigators have determined in the past. It is expected this would be an extremely limited record because those who have looked into such cattle mutilations have done so without any jurisdictional authority and their records are expected to be very brief, if any at all were kept. The Albuquergue FBI Office feels that if an investi- gative unit is approved and an LEAA Grant is given to the Office Of the District Attorney in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this approach to the solution would probably be the best in the absence of full rBi jurisdiction.' Such an investigative unit would have jurisdiction over investigation of the cattle mutilations and authority to prosecute persons responsible for.the mutilations if they are idsntified. The FBl could cooperate with this unit by furnishing data available to it for assistance in its investigation. The Albuguerque FBi feels that if the grant is given to the District Attorney's Office in.Santa Fe, coordination of investigative efforts could be handled appropriately.. M. During the afternoon session of the conference attended by .law 'enforcement officials, it was concluded by U.S. Attorney Thampson that a'decision would be made whether the FBI, the New' Mexico State Police, or the special unit attached to the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office would be the coordinating agency for the investigation of the cattle mutilations. U.s. Attorney THompson said a decision would be madewithintwo weeks which of these three agencies would be so designated depending upon approval from FBihQ, the New Mexico