Man arrested at Trump golf club allegedly photographed security preparations before president’s visit, authorities say
A man arrested at Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles County allegedly visited the property twice during security preparations for President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit, taking photos and videos of law enforcement activity while falsely claiming to be affiliated with the State Department, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, California, was taken into custody Sunday after authorities said he was found with ammunition in his pocket and a loaded handgun in his pickup truck. Investigators later searched his home and discovered additional firearms, including an illegally modified AR-style rifle, body armor, radio equipment and notebooks containing what authorities described as concerning statements.
The alleged activity occurred days before Trump was scheduled to attend a Republican National Committee dinner at the Rancho Palos Verdes golf club. Authorities said Taele first visited the property Friday while a security assessment was underway, where he was seen wearing an earpiece and recording images of security planning operations.
Taele returned to the golf club Sunday and allegedly told federal agents he worked for the State Department and was there as part of a security detail. He also reportedly disclosed that he had a firearm in his vehicle.
Sheriff’s deputies responded and discovered that Taele was wanted in connection with a prior robbery case in El Segundo. During a pat-down search, deputies allegedly found a magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition in his pocket. A search of his vehicle uncovered a loaded 9mm pistol, additional ammunition, binoculars, and a badge labeled “security protection agent.”
Taele was arrested on state firearms charges and later charged federally with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony that carries a potential minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. He is being held on $250,000 bond and is expected to appear in state court later this month.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing with assistance from federal law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service. Officials said they have not identified a credible threat to the public.
Trump later attended the scheduled RNC event at the golf club. The arrest comes less than a year after another man was convicted of attempting to assassinate Trump at his Florida golf course, where prosecutors said he hid with a rifle while Trump was playing nearby.
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