A 38-year-old man has been arrested after he was allegedly found carrying a firearm and illegal ammunition near a golf course owned by U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the president’s fundraising visit.
The suspect, identified as Jeanine John Taele, was detained on Sunday at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Taele was seen walking around the golf course taking photographs and videos while appearing to monitor security arrangements before Trump’s scheduled appearance at a Republican fundraising dinner on Tuesday.
Authorities said plainclothes federal agents spotted the suspicious behaviour and alerted local law enforcement.
When officers approached the suspect, they discovered he was wanted in connection with a robbery investigation by the El Segundo Police Department.
A search revealed that Taele was carrying a concealed 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition. Investigators later found a loaded pistol and another magazine containing hollow-point rounds inside his parked vehicle.
Hollow-point bullets are designed to expand on impact, causing severe damage, while California law prohibits firearm magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.
On Monday, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department searched Taele’s home in Downey due to what authorities described as potential security concerns surrounding the case.
During the raid, officers allegedly recovered an illegally modified AR-style rifle, a .45-calibre pistol, body armour, high-capacity magazines, large quantities of ammunition and several notebooks containing what investigators described as “concerning statements.”
Taele is currently being held on charges of carrying a concealed firearm and possessing prohibited armour-piercing ammunition. Authorities said additional charges could be filed as investigations continue.
The U.S. Secret Service is assisting with the investigation.
Officials stressed that they have not identified any credible threat to the public or to President Trump but said the incident highlights the importance of identifying and investigating suspicious activity before it escalates.
The arrest came during Trump’s visit to California, where he attended a Republican fundraising dinner at his golf course before travelling to Las Vegas for another political event as campaigning intensifies ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
