Authorities in Rancho Palos Verdes have arrested a man from California on suspicion of keeping tabs on security measures at Trump National Golf Club ahead of an imminent visit by the President. This arrest unfolded on Sunday and subsequently led to the discovery of several weapons and body armor in his possession, according to officials.
Jeanine John Taele, aged 38 and hailing from Downey, recently stood in court where he entered a plea of not guilty. He faces four criminal charges following his arrest at the golf course just days before President Donald Trump was due to arrive.
On Tuesday evening, President Trump touched down in Los Angeles, where he was scheduled to attend a fundraising event organized by the Republican National Committee.
In a court decision, a judge from Los Angeles County imposed a $250,000 bail on Taele. The ruling also included strict conditions: Taele must not possess weapons, cannot visit Trump National Golf Club, and is prohibited from leaving the California state lines while his legal proceedings remain active.
Taele’s next scheduled court date, set for August 26, will involve a preliminary hearing setting and a review of his bail status.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation began on Sunday, when plainclothes federal agents spotted Taele walking the grounds of Trump National Golf Club while taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities.
Deputies from the Lomita Sheriff’s Station responded around 3:30 p.m. and contacted Taele. 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 in the chamber, along with another loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition.
Taele was initially arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm and possessing prohibited ammunition. Prosecutors later charged him with receiving a large-capacity magazine, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle and possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun.
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.
The FBI found a point of interest using an aviation team. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP )
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.”
Separately, prosecutors also charged Taele with second-degree robbery in connection with an alleged Nov. 4, 2025, incident that was already under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department before Sunday’s arrest at the golf course.
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.
President Donald Trump and Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (Fox News)
Authorities said they have identified no credible threat to the surrounding community but noted the investigation remains active.
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office confirmed to News Media that the bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is continuing to investigate the case with the U.S. Secret Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department but declined to comment further because the investigation remains ongoing.
News Media has reached out to the U.S. Secret Service, the El Segundo Police Department and Trump National Golf Club for comment.