The armed suspect accused of surveying President Trump’s Southern California golf club ahead of the president’s planned visit is a decorated former U.S. Marine who previously served in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was in the Marine Corps from March 2008 to March 2016, according to military records obtained by the California Post. During his service, he rose to the rank of corporal and worked as a warehouse clerk with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, an elite unit based at Camp Pendleton.
The records show Taele was deployed to Iraq between October 2008 and March 2009, then later served in Afghanistan from June through December 2010.
His service record lists two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, honors given for sustained honorable and disciplined service, as well as a Navy Unit Commendation recognizing outstanding achievement by his unit.
Taele’s awards also include the National Defense Service Medal for service during the post-9/11 Global War on Terror period, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal tied to his overseas tours, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons for extended deployments, and the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal for his role in support of the Afghanistan mission.
Federal investigators are now examining Taele’s background, including whether he had any links to extremist organizations or any connection to the California men accused in a disrupted terror plot targeting the UFC event at the White House, a law enforcement source told The California Post.
Taele is facing federal charges after authorities said he was discovered armed at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, only days before Trump’s Aug. 4 fundraising appearance at the property.
A federal criminal complaint charges him with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony offense that carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Agents conducting advance security planning spotted Taele on July 31 walking around the golf course and wearing an earpiece while photographing and filming security preparations, according to federal prosecutors.
He allegedly returned to the club on Aug. 2, where he falsely claimed he worked for the State Department on a security detail and admitted he had a loaded firearm in his pickup truck.
Deputies responding to the scene also discovered Taele was wanted in an unrelated robbery case out of El Segundo. Authorities recovered a loaded 9mm pistol, hollow-point ammunition, binoculars and a badge labeled “security protection agent” from his truck, prosecutors said.
A subsequent search of his home uncovered what investigators described as an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, additional firearms, body armor, high-capacity magazines, communications equipment and notebooks containing concerning statements.
“While we are still investigating the motives of this individual, we are thankful he was apprehended before the president’s visit,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said in announcing the federal charges.
“Federal and local law enforcement stepped in early and prevented what could have been a dangerous situation from occurring. This investigation remains ongoing.”
FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy said Taele’s conduct “raised serious red flags.”
“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.
President Trump later downplayed the incident during an interview with Fox News.
“The only thing I get a little solace from is they say only consequential presidents, and I am definitely consequential,” Trump said. “I have no choice,” he added while pivoting to discuss Iran. “They can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Taele also faces state firearms charges in Los Angeles Superior Court in addition to the pending federal case.
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