An armed man allegedly scouted President Trump’s California golf membership earlier than the commander in chief’s go to, and investigators say the arrest uncovered an unlawful rifle, physique armor and a weapons stash.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was charged in a federal legal grievance with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle after his arrest Saturday at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The felony carries a compulsory minimal sentence of 10 years in federal jail.
Federal brokers have been conducting safety sweeps forward of Trump’s Aug. 4 go to after they noticed Taele on July 31 strolling across the course carrying an earpiece whereas taking images and movies of security-planning actions, in response to court docket papers.
Taele returned to the membership Saturday, prompting employees to alert authorities.
He allegedly approached federal brokers and falsely claimed he labored for the State Division and was assigned to a safety element.
Taele additionally admitted he had a loaded firearm inside his pickup truck parked on the membership.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded and found Taele had an impressive El Segundo warrant tied to a theft case.
Deputies discovered a 16-round journal loaded with hollow-point ammunition in his pocket.
A search of his pickup truck turned up a loaded 9mm pistol with a spherical chambered, one other loaded journal full of hollow-point ammunition, binoculars and a badge labeled “safety safety agent.”
Investigators then searched Taele’s dwelling Sunday, the place they seized an illegally modified AR-platform rifle that had by no means been registered within the Nationwide Firearms Registration and Switch Document, together with further firearms, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, physique armor, an earpiece, two radio sign gadgets and notebooks containing regarding statements.
“Whereas we’re nonetheless investigating the motives of this particular person, we’re grateful he was apprehended earlier than the President’s go to,” First Assistant US Legal professional Invoice Essayli mentioned. “Federal and native legislation enforcement stepped in early and prevented what might have been a harmful state of affairs from occurring.”
FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Cost Patrick Grandy mentioned Taele’s actions “raised critical crimson flags” simply days earlier than Trump’s arrival.
“There isn’t any room for error, significantly in gentle of earlier makes an attempt on President Trump’s life,” Grandy mentioned.
Essayli later wrote on X that investigators have been nonetheless working to find out Taele’s motives however praised the FBI, US Secret Service, ATF and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division for intervening earlier than the president’s go to and stopping “a probably harmful state of affairs.”
Taele can also be dealing with firearms-related expenses and a 2025 theft case in Los Angeles Superior Court docket, the place he was granted $250,000 bail.
He’s anticipated to make his preliminary look in federal court docket after being transferred into federal custody.
The FBI, US Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division are investigating the case.
A federal legal grievance incorporates allegations solely.
Taele is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible in court docket.
