RANCH PALOS VERDES, Calif. (KABC) — A Downey man arrested near President Donald Trump’s golf course in the Los Angeles area, just days before the president was expected to visit, is scheduled to make a court appearance Wednesday.
Authorities identified the suspect as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele. He was taken into custody Sunday after federal agents flagged a suspicious person at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. Prosecutors say he now faces both state and federal charges tied to possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
The federal felony count carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison if Taele is convicted.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Taele was first spotted on the golf course property on Friday, July 31, walking around the grounds while “taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities.” Officials said he was also reportedly wearing an earpiece at the time.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Taele eventually left the Rancho Palos Verdes golf club and drove away.
Investigators said he returned to Trump National Golf Club on Sunday, Aug. 2, prompting staff members to alert federal agents who remained on-site for a security assessment. The DOJ said Taele then approached the agents and claimed he worked for the State Department and was there as part of a security detail.
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Officials said Taele acknowledged that a loaded firearm was inside his vehicle, which was parked in the Trump Golf Club parking lot.
Deputies detained Taele and later learned he was under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department in connection with a 2025 robbery case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Taele had been granted $250,000 bail in that matter.
According to the sheriff’s department, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele’s pants pocket.
They also searched his vehicle and found a loaded 9mm pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition. He also reportedly had a pair of binoculars and a badge that read, “security protection agent.”
Deputies conduct search warrant
Deputies executed a search warrant on Monday, Aug. 3, at Taele’s home in Downey and found the following items:
- An illegally modified AR platform rifle
- A 1911 .45 caliber pistol
- An AR platform upper receiver
- Bulk pistol and rifle ammunition
- Multiple notebooks containing concerning statements
A woman who lives near the suspect told Eyewitness News she was surprised by Taele’s arrest.
“It’s scary, you know? We live here. We’re not too far down from the house. But I never got that vibe, you know? Because it’s like a family, it was like a large… a good amount of people living in the home,” the neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. “You don’t know anybody willing to go that far, you know?”
The FBI and the Secret Service are both investigating the incident.
Taele remains in custody.
