Man arrested at Trump golf course ahead of president’s visit allegedly had weapons cache
A man allegedly photographing security preparations at Trump National Golf Club was found with weapons, body armor and concerning notebooks.
A California man was arrested Sunday at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes after allegedly monitoring security-planning activities days before the president’s visit and was later found with a cache of weapons, authorities said.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was arrested Sunday after plainclothes federal agents spotted him walking the golf course grounds, taking photographs and videos while appearing to monitor security-planning activities, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies from the Lomita Sheriff's Station responded around 3:30 p.m. and determined Taele was already under investigation for robbery by the El Segundo Police Department.
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During a pat-down, deputies allegedly recovered a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition from Taele's pants pocket. Authorities then searched his vehicle, which was parked in the golf course parking lot, and recovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with another loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition.
Taele was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm and possessing prohibited ammunition.
The discovery prompted detectives with the Sheriff's Department's Major Crimes Bureau assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force to obtain a search warrant for Taele's Downey home.
Investigators said they recovered 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, two radio signal devices and multiple notebooks containing what authorities described as "concerning statements."
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and the U.S. Secret Service. Officials said additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
Investigators presented the case Tuesday to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. Taele remains in custody.
Authorities said they have identified no credible threat to the surrounding community but noted the investigation remains active.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the El Segundo Police Department and Trump National Golf Club for comment.