Doty Sends Fake APRO Letter About Pecos/Weitzel Sighting
Richard Doty sends a fabricated letter to APRO about the Pecos/Weitzel UFO sighting. He later admits to Bill Moore that it was 'bait' to test how APRO handles information. Part of AFOSI's broader disinformation and monitoring campaign targeting civilian UFO research organizations.
Background
1. In 1980, Air Force Special Agent Richard Doty sent a fabricated letter to APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organization) regarding the Pecos/Weitzel UFO sighting. Doty later admitted this was a deliberate act of disinformation. The purpose was to test APRO's information handling procedures.
The Incident
* Richard Doty, an Air Force Special Agent, created and sent a fake letter to APRO.
* The letter concerned the Pecos/Weitzel UFO sighting.
* Doty later confessed to Bill Moore that the letter was 'bait'.
* The goal was to observe and assess how APRO processed and managed the information they received.
Investigation
Dolan's account does not describe an official investigation into Doty's actions. Doty himself admitted to the fabrication.
Significance
Doty's actions are significant because they illustrate the AFOSI's (Air Force Office of Special Investigations) active role in monitoring and potentially discrediting civilian UFO research groups. This incident is considered part of a broader disinformation campaign. The incident also highlights the government's interest in controlling the narrative surrounding UFOs and potentially manipulating public perception.