LOS ANGELES (TNND) — Law enforcement has arrested a California man with a loaded pistol at President Donald Trump’s golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes over the weekend after he was spotted taking photos at the golf club days before Trump’s visit.
Here’s what we know about the arrest and why the suspect is now facing felony charges.
Who is Jeanine John Taele?
38-year-old John Jean Taele, of Downey, was arrested at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles with ammunition and a loaded gun in his pickup truck, officials announced Tuesday.
He was charged on Tuesday in a federal criminal complaint with a firearm offense.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Taele is charged with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. The charge is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
The suspect also faces criminal charges in Los Angeles Superior Court in connection with the same incident and is expected to make his initial appearance Wednesday in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“While we are still investigating the motives of this individual, we are thankful he was apprehended before the President’s visit,” First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said. “Federal and local law enforcement stepped in early and prevented what could have been a dangerous situation from occurring. This investigation remains ongoing.”
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA – AUGUST 04: With U.S. President Donald Trump on board, Marine One arrives at the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles on August 04, 2026 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Trump is traveling to to California to attend a fund raising event and onto Las Vegas for a rally on Wednesday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Patrick Grandy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said Taele’s “troubling behavior” at the court days before Trump’s visit raised “serious red flags,” which led to the discovery of the unregistered firearm, a loaded weapon and “additional items of concern.”
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, working with our partners at the U.S. Secret Service, the ATF, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, will investigate this case thoroughly,” Grandy said. How was Taele Caught?
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on July 31, federal agents conducted a security assessment at Trump’s golf club in advance of his Tuesday visit.
During the security assessment, federal agents saw a “suspicious individual,” who was later identified as Taele, at the club.
Taele was seen walking throughout the golf course at Trump Golf Club, was wearing an earpiece, and took photographs and filmed videos of federal agents’ security-planning activities. Taele later left the area and drove away,” the complaint said.
On Sunday, authorities said Taele returned to Trump’s golf club and staff notified federal agents, who were continuing their security assessment.
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA – AUGUST 04: The motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles on August 04, 2026 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Trump is traveling to California to attend a fundraising event and then to Las Vegas for a rally on Wednesday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Taele reportedly approached the federal agents and stated that he worked for the State Department and was at the location for a security detail.
Taele further admitted to having a loaded firearm in his car, which was parked in the Trump Golf Club parking lot,” the complaint said.
Federal agents then contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and sheriff’s deputies arrived at the club.
Deputies learned that Taele was wanted in connection with a robbery case out of El Segundo, California.
Taele was detained and a 16-round magazine containing hollow-point ammunition was found in his pants pockets.”
According to the complaint, the search of Taele’s pickup truck led to the seizure of a loaded 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition, a pair of binoculars, and a badge that read, “security protection agent.”
Authorities searched Taele’s home on Monday, which led to the seizure of an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, other firearms, body armor, high-capacity magazines, an earpiece, two radio signal devices, and multiple notebooks containing concerning statements.
“This case is a strong example of the important work our agents do to keep the individuals we protect and our protected sites safe, starting well before each and every visit,” said Armando Marquez, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Since the moment our agents became aware of this individual, they’ve worked tirelessly with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and our federal partners to investigate this case. We take seriously any information that could indicate a potential threat to individuals under Secret Service protection and we’re deeply grateful for the prompt and thorough work by our agents and law enforcement partners.”
The FBI, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.