A man who told federal agents he was part of a security detail preparing for President Donald Trump’s visit to the Los Angeles area was arrested at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes after officers found loaded weapons in his vehicle and firearms at his home, authorities said.
The suspect, identified in court records as Jeanine John Taele, 38, was taken into custody on Sunday, two days before Trump’s fundraising dinner at the club, according to the federal criminal complaint and local booking records.
What officers say happened
Federal agents first observed Taele on the golf course on Friday, where he walked through the property wearing an earpiece and taking photos and videos of agents conducting a security assessment, the complaint states. He left the site but returned Sunday and approached agents, saying he worked for the State Department and was there on a security detail.
After Taele acknowledged he had a loaded weapon in his vehicle, agents searched his truck in the club parking lot and found a loaded 9mm pistol, binoculars and a badge labeled "security protection agent," prosecutors said. He also had a 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket, authorities reported.
Charges and custody status
Taele faces a federal weapons charge for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle discovered during a search of his home in Downey. The complaint alleges the AR-style rifle had been modified, with its barrel cut to about 10 inches from about 14 inches.
At the time of reporting, Taele had appeared in court on local weapons charges and a separate second-degree robbery charge unrelated to the golf club incident. Booking records show he is being held at a downtown Los Angeles jail on state counts and has not yet been transferred to federal custody, a U.S. attorney’s office spokesperson said. A federal hearing that had been scheduled was canceled on Wednesday.
Seized items and locations
| Location | Items reported seized |
|---|---|
| Trump National Golf Club parking lot | Loaded 9mm pistol, binoculars, badge reading "security protection agent", 16-round magazine (on person) |
| Home in Downey | Allegedly modified AR-style short-barreled rifle, additional firearms, magazines and ammunition (per search) |
Local context and implications
The arrest came as federal agents were conducting a security assessment ahead of a presidential visit, underscoring the sensitivity of protective operations at private venues hosting high-profile figures. Rancho Palos Verdes lies within Los Angeles County, where coordination among local law enforcement and federal agencies is typical for such events.
Authorities described Taele's actions — walking the course with an earpiece and documenting agents' activities — as suspicious, prompting surveillance and the subsequent stop. The discovery of a modified rifle at a nearby Downey residence led to the federal weapons charge for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a serious offense under federal law.
- Who: Jeanine John Taele, 38.
- Where: Trump National Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes; home in Downey.
- What seized: Loaded 9mm pistol, modified AR-style short-barreled rifle, additional firearms, magazines, ammunition, binoculars, badge.
Residents with concerns about local security during high-profile events should follow guidance from law enforcement agencies and report suspicious behavior immediately. The U.S. attorney’s office and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department handled aspects of the investigation, and court proceedings were ongoing.
Further updates will come as prosecutors file federal charges and court dates are rescheduled.
Sofia Delgado is News Block’s California correspondent.
