Man arrested near Trump National Golf Club with ammunition ahead of presidential visit
Federal and local authorities detained a 38-year-old man near Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes after finding a loaded pistol, hollow-point ammunition and other weapons, days before Biden's scheduled Southern California trip.
Los Angeles County deputies and federal agents detained Jeanine John Taele, a 38-year-old resident of Downey, after he was observed walking the grounds of Trump National Golf Club taking photographs and videos. The arrest occurred Saturday afternoon, shortly before Biden's planned visit for a Republican National Committee event.
During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine of hollow-point ammunition from Taele's clothing, a loaded pistol with a round chambered, an additional loaded magazine, binoculars and a badge that read "security protection agent". He was booked on charges of carrying a concealed firearm and possession of prohibited ammunition.
A search warrant executed at Taele's residence uncovered an illegally modified AR-style rifle, a .45-caliber 1911 pistol, additional firearms components, body armor, high-capacity magazines, bulk ammunition, two radio-signal devices and notebooks containing statements referencing the White House. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the U.S. Secret Service.
The Secret Service declined to comment on specific protective-intelligence matters, stating it investigates any activity that could be perceived as a threat to individuals under its protection. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also involved, and Taele faces federal charges that could carry up to ten years in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.