LA Sheriff's Department says it arrested armed man on grounds of Trump golf course days before visit

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department announced Tuesday that it arrested an armed man who was acting suspiciously on the grounds of President Donald Trump's National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes over the weekend.

The revelation occurred just hours before the president is expected to speak at the golf course at a Republican National Committee fundraiser and roundtable. The arrest however, was made on Sunday.

The sheriff's department said the man, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele, was observed walking throughout the club's grounds taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities. 

Taele was detained and deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele’s pants pocket during his arrest. They also searched his vehicle, which uncovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition, the department said.

"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 obtained and executed a search warrant yesterday ... for Taele’s residence in the city of Downey," the department said. 

Officials said they recovered an illegally modified AR platform rifle, a 1911 .45 caliber pistol, body armor, an AR platform upper receiver, high-capacity magazines, pistol and rifle ammunition and notebooks with "concerning statements" in it.

"Currently, investigators have identified no credible threat to our communities," the department said. "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. 

"The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is committed to protecting our residents, safeguarding critical events, and working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners," the department added.

The investigation into the man is being conducted in close coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the United States Secret Service.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.