An armed man was arrested at the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes after allegedly scouting security preparations for an upcoming visit by former President Donald Trump. The suspect, identified as Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was found with an illegal rifle, body armor, and other weapons.
Federal agents spotted Taele on July 31 examining security activities and taking photos and videos while wearing an earpiece, according to court documents. He returned to the club on Saturday, prompting staff to notify authorities. Taele then allegedly approached federal agents and falsely claimed to be a State Department employee assigned to a security detail.
He also admitted to having a loaded firearm in his pickup truck parked at the club. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded and found Taele had an outstanding warrant for robbery. A search revealed a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition in his pocket, a loaded 9mm pistol with a round chambered, another loaded magazine of hollow-point ammunition, binoculars, and a badge labeled “security protection agent” in his truck.
Investigators searched Taele’s home on Sunday, where they seized an unregistered, modified AR-platform rifle, additional firearms, high-capacity magazines, body armor, an earpiece, two radio signal devices, and notebooks containing concerning statements.
Taele has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony offense that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. He also faces firearms-related charges and a robbery case in Los Angeles Superior Court. He is expected to appear in federal court after being transferred into federal custody.
“While we are still investigating the motives of this individual, we are thankful he was apprehended before the President’s visit,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “Federal and local law enforcement stepped in early and prevented what could have been a dangerous situation from occurring.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy stated that Taele’s actions raised serious red flags days before Trump's arrival, adding that "there is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life."
The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are jointly investigating the incident. A federal criminal complaint contains allegations, and Taele is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.