A decorated former U.S. Marine corporal with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan faces federal firearms charges after allegedly scouting security ahead of President Trump's visit to his Southern California golf club. Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was arrested at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes on July 31.
Federal prosecutors charged Taele in a criminal complaint with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. According to investigators, agents conducting advance security planning for Trump's Aug. 4 fundraising visit spotted Taele on the golf course wearing an earpiece while photographing and filming security preparations. He allegedly returned to the club on Aug. 2, claiming he worked for the State Department on a security detail and admitting he had a loaded firearm in his pickup truck.
Taele served in the Marine Corps from March 2008 to March 2016, reaching the rank of corporal. His military record shows he completed combat deployments to Iraq from October 2008 to March 2009 and to Afghanistan from June to December 2010. He earned multiple accolades, including two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal.
Deputies responding to the scene also discovered Taele was wanted in an unrelated robbery case out of El Segundo. A search of his truck yielded a loaded 9mm pistol, hollow-point ammunition, binoculars, and a badge labeled "security protection agent." A subsequent search of his home uncovered an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, additional firearms, body armor, high-capacity magazines, communications equipment, and notebooks containing "concerning statements," according to investigators.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that federal and local law enforcement apprehended Taele before the President's visit, preventing a potentially dangerous situation. The investigation into his motives and any potential ties to extremist groups or other individuals is ongoing. FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy noted that Taele's conduct raised "serious red flags" and emphasized the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with partners at the U.S. Secret Service, ATF, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, would investigate thoroughly.
President Trump, in an interview with Fox News, downplayed the incident, stating, "The only thing I get a little solace from is they say only consequential presidents, and I am definitely consequential."
Taele also faces state firearms charges in Los Angeles Superior Court in addition to the pending federal case.