Man arrested at Trump LA golf course days before president's planned visit

RANCH PALOS VERDES, Calif. -- A man who was allegedly taking photos and videos and "appearing to monitor security-planning activities" at President Donald Trump's Los Angeles-area golf course was arrested on Sunday, days before the president's planned visit, according to authorities.

Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was arrested after federal agents reported a suspicious person at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. He's facing both state and federal charges for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

If found guilty, the felony charge carries a 10-year maximum sentence in federal prison.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Taele was seen walking through the golf course grounds, "taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities," on Friday, July 31. He was reportedly seen wearing an earpiece.

Taele later left the area and drove away, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

On Sunday, Aug. 2, Taele reportedly returned to the golf club and staff notified federal agents, who were still at the location continuing their security assessment. According to the DOJ, Taele approached the federal agents and stated that he was employed by the State Department and was at the location for security detail.

He admitted to having a loaded firearm in his car, which was parked in the Trump Golf Club parking lot.

Deputies detained Taele and determined he was being investigated for a 2025 robbery by the El Segundo Police Department. He was granted $250,000 bail in that case, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

According to the sheriff's department, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele's pants pocket.

They also searched his vehicle and found a loaded 9mm pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition. He also reportedly had a pair of binoculars and a badge that read, "security protection agent."

Deputies conduct search warrant

Deputies executed a search warrant on Monday, Aug. 3, at Taele's home in Downey and found the following items:

• An illegally modified AR platform rifle

• A 1911 .45 caliber pistol

• An AR platform upper receiver

• Body armor

• High-capacity magazines

• Bulk pistol and rifle ammunition

• Multiple notebooks containing concerning statements

• Two radio signal devices

A woman who lives near the suspect told Eyewitness News she was surprised by Taele's arrest.

"It's scary, you know? We live here. We're not too far down from the house. But I never got that vibe, you know? Because it's like a family, it was like a large... a good amount of people living in the home," the neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. "You don't know anybody willing to go that far, you know?"

The FBI and the Secret Service are both investigating the incident.

Taele remains in custody.