Armed man arrested at Trump California golf club allegedly kept Melania Trump schedule notes
A Los Angeles County judge called the case alarming after prosecutors said Jeanine John Taele, 38, had more than 200 pages of writings that included first lady Melania Trump's schedule and Secret Service detail notes when he was arrested Aug. 2 at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles. Criminal proceedings were suspended after a finding he is not mentally fit for trial.
An armed man arrested Aug. 2 at President Donald Trump's California golf club allegedly carried notebooks that included first lady Melania Trump's schedule and notes on Secret Service personnel, according to court details reported by Fox News and the Associated Press.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges stemming from the arrest outside Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, days before a planned presidential visit. Prosecutors said he had seven notebooks totaling 208 pages with drawings of the club, Secret Service schedules, details about individual security officers and copies of the first lady's schedule, the New York Post and AP reported.
Plainclothes federal agents spotted Taele walking the grounds, taking photos and video and appearing to watch security planning, Fox News Digital reported earlier. Deputies who detained him allegedly found a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition in his pants pocket. A search of his vehicle recovered a loaded pistol with a round in the chamber and another hollow-point magazine.
A later search of his Downey home turned up an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, body armor, high-capacity magazines, bulk ammunition, radio signal devices and additional notebooks, authorities said. Taele claimed he worked for the State Department and was there on a security detail.
Los Angeles County Judge John Lonergan Jr. called the allegations alarming. He suspended criminal proceedings after a pretrial evaluation found Taele not mentally fit to stand trial and sent the case to mental health court. Taele, a Marine veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, remains jailed pending a Sept. 9 hearing. His public defender cautioned against assuming motives.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Secret Service and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are investigating. The Secret Service said it thoroughly investigates activity that may indicate a protective concern.
Go Deeper
Who was arrested?
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, California, on Aug. 2 at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.
What did prosecutors say he had?
More than 200 pages of writings including Melania Trump's schedule, Secret Service detail notes and sketches of the club, plus firearms and ammunition.
What is the court status?
Criminal proceedings were suspended after a finding he is not mentally fit for trial. A mental health court hearing is set for Sept. 9.
What weapons were reported?
A loaded pistol in his vehicle, magazines with hollow-point rounds, and at his home an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, another pistol, body armor and bulk ammunition, according to coverage.
Who is investigating?
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Secret Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
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