Armed Man Arrested At Trump National Before President's Visit

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — An armed man was arrested at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes as authorities prepared for the president's visit, authorities announced Tuesday.

Deputies responded to a report from plainclothes federal agents investigating suspicious activity on the property ahead of President Donald Trump's visit. They found 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele, of Downey, "taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities," according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

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Investigators later recovered an illegally modified AR platform rifle, additional firearms, body armor, ammunition, "notebooks containing concerning statements," and other items during a search of the suspect's Downey home, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The sheriff's department said the incident began shortly after 3:28 p.m. Saturday when deputies assigned to the Lomita Sheriff's Station responded after plainclothes federal agents reported a suspicious person on the golf course. Authorities said Taele was also under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department in connection with a robbery.

During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition from Taele's pants pocket, according to the sheriff's department. A search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered a loaded handgun with a round in the chamber and an additional loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition.

Authorities said the incident's potential security implications prompted detectives assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force to obtain and execute a search warrant at Taele's Downey home.

Investigators said the search uncovered 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 what authorities described as "concerning statements," and two radio signal devices.

The investigation is being conducted in coordination with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and the US Secret Service. Authorities said additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues, and the case has been presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration.

Despite the discoveries, investigators said they have identified "no credible threat" to the community.

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