First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli posted this to X:
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, who was arrested at Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, is charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Taele was detained after being seen taking photos and video of security-planning activities ahead of President Trump’s visit to the golf club today (Tuesday)
LASD deputies found ammunition in Taele’s pocket, searched his vehicle, and seized a loaded pistol with a round chambered and a loaded magazine.
A search of Taele’s residence seized high-powered firearms, ammunition, body armor, and a notebook.
Taele is charged in Los Angeles Superior Court with firearms-related crimes and a 2025 robbery. He was granted $250,000 bail in that case.
He is expected to make his initial appearance in the United States District Court in Los Angeles soon after his transfer to federal custody.
While we are still investigating this individual’s motives, we are thankful he was apprehended before the President’s visit. The @FBILosAngeles, @LosAngelesATF, @SecretService, and @LASDHQ intervened early and prevented a potentially dangerous situation. We thank them for their quick work.
This remains an active investigation.
8/4: An arrest was made at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes before the President is set to speak at a private Republican event–tonight. Here is the statement form the LA County Sheriff’s Dept:
Sheriff’s Department and Federal Partners Arrest Armed Suspect During Security Investigation at Trump National Golf Course On Saturday, August 2, 2026, at approximately 3:28 p.m., deputies assigned to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station responded to Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes after plain clothes Federal agents reported a suspicious individual on the property. The individual was observed walking throughout the golf course grounds taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities.
Lomita Sheriff’s deputies contacted the individual, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele from Downey, and determined he was being investigated for robbery by the El Segundo Police Department. Deputies detained Taele and located his vehicle in a parking lot on the golf course. During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele’s pants pocket. Deputies subsequently searched Taele’s vehicle and recovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition.
Taele was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(1) PC) and Possession of Armor-Piercing/Prohibited Ammunition (31310 PC).
Recognizing the potential security implications surrounding the incident, detectives from the Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) obtained and executed a search warrant yesterday afternoon for Taele’s residence in the city of Downey.
During the search, investigators 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
• Multiple notebooks containing concerning statements
• Two radio signal devices
The investigation is being conducted in close coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the United States Secret Service. Additional charges could be added as the investigation continues. Taele remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
This morning, investigators presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Currently, investigators have identified no credible threat to our communities. However, this case underscores the importance of vigilance, strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and the proactive steps taken to identify and investigate suspicious activity before it can escalate.
Details of the event are being very closely kept–in order to provide maximum security. This is a developing story.
