(CNN) — An armed military veteran was arrested outside Trump National Golf Club in Southern California on Sunday after federal agents reported someone suspicious walking the property just days before a visit by the president, authorities said.
The Secret Service is investigating whether the former Marines logistics specialist, who was caught with ammunition and a public phone number for the White House while apparently recording the federal agents’ security-planning activities, posed a threat to President Donald Trump, a federal law enforcement source told CNN.
At his home, investigators later recovered what they described as an illegally modified AR-style rifle, body armor, high-capacity magazines and notebooks containing what the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department called “concerning statements,” among other items. The Secret Service would not comment on specifics.
There was no immediate indication the person – identified by sheriff’s deputies as Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey – was plotting an attack on the president, the source added, noting the investigation was ongoing.
“There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force … will investigate this case thoroughly,” FBI Assistant Director Patrick Grandy said in a statement.
Taele’s arrest follows other security incidents involving Trump properties and events, including breaches at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, assassination attempts in 2024 at a Pennsylvania campaign rally and on the edge of his West Palm Beach golf course in Florida, and a man opening fire at this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, DC.
Trump was aboard Air Force 1 en route to a Tuesday evening Republican National Committee dinner at the golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes when the sheriff’s office announced Taele’s arrest on charges of carrying a concealed firearm and possession of prohibited ammunition.
Taele pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four charges: three weapons charges filed after his arrest at Trump National Golf Club and a second-degree robbery charge stemming from an alleged November 2025 incident, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said. It is not clear whether the robbery charge is related to Sunday’s incident.
A judge set bail at $250,000 and ordered Taele not to possess weapons, to stay away from the president’s golf club and to remain in California pending further proceedings, court documents show.
Taele also was charged Tuesday in a federal criminal complaint with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said. The felony carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
It’s not yet determined when Taele will make his initial appearance in federal court, the US Attorney’s Office told CNN on Wednesday. That was earlier expected to happen Wednesday.
Body armor, AR-style rifle found at suspect’s home, sheriff says
Detectives assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant for Taele’s residence Monday due to the “potential security implications surrounding the incident,” the sheriff’s department said.
Investigators found what they described as an illegally modified AR-style rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, body armor, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, radio signal devices, an earpiece, a gold-colored badge that said “Badge #1015, Agent-Fugitive Recovery Bail Enforcement,” and notebooks containing what sheriff’s officials called “concerning statements.”
Federal agents during a Friday security assessment saw a suspicious person, later identified as Taele, the Justice Department said. He was seen walking throughout the golf course, wearing an earpiece and taking photographs and videos of federal agents’ activities.
He left the area and returned Sunday, approaching federal agents and stating he was employed by the State Department and was there for a security detail. Taele said he had a loaded firearm in his car, which was later searched, federal officials said.
Federal agents contacted the sheriff’s department, whose deputies in a pat-down search of Taele found a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition in his pants pockets. In his car, they found a pair of binoculars and a badge that read “security protection agent.”
On the grounds of Trump’s club on Sunday, Taele was taking photos and videos, and he appeared to be monitoring “security-planning activities,” the sheriff’s department said.
“While we are still investigating the motives of this individual, we are thankful he was apprehended before the President’s visit,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Federal and local law enforcement stepped in early and prevented what could have been a dangerous situation from occurring.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and Secret Service are aiding in the investigation, officials said, and more charges could be added.
“Currently, investigators have identified no credible threat to our communities,” the statement said. “However, this case underscores the importance of vigilance, strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and the proactive steps taken to identify and investigate suspicious activity before it can escalate.”
Taele is a military veteran with past service in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US Marine Corps told CNN. Taele enlisted in the Marines in 2008, specializing in logistics as a warehouse clerk until 2016, according to his official military record released by the Defense Department. His awards included commendation for good conduct and two war zone deployments.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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