FOIA: BLM surveillance of Roswell researcher disclosed
Documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests revealed extensive monitoring of a scientist investigating the 1947 incident. The released records show agency personnel tracked social media activities and documented all communications. These files demonstrate unusual governmental interest in private UFO research activities.
Background
On May 9, 2019, The Black Vault received responsive documents following a FOIA request submitted months earlier regarding BLM interactions with Frank Kimbler. The release comprised fifty-six pages demonstrating that officials not only demanded physical evidence but conducted surveillance operations. Agents captured screenshots of Kimbler's Facebook posts within hours of publication, monitoring comments from supporters. The files contained detailed notes regarding meetings between Kimbler, BLM personnel, and researcher Donald Schmitt. This disclosure reveals systematic documentation of civilian UFO research by federal land management authorities, raising questions about resource allocation and motivation behind such close observation of academic inquiry into historical aerial anomalies.