Downey Man Who Was Arrested with Loaded Pistol at Trump Golf Club Charged in Federal Complaint with Firearm-Related Crime

LOS ANGELES – A Downey man arrested over the weekend at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles while possessing ammunition on his person and a loaded firearm in his pickup truck was charged today in a federal criminal complaint with a firearm offense. Jeanine John Taele, 38, is charged with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Taele, who also faces criminal charges in Los Angeles Superior Court stemming from the same incident, is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “Mr. Taele’s troubling behavior at the President’s public golf course merely days before the President was expected to arrive raised serious red flags for law enforcement and led to the discovery of an unregistered firearm, a loaded weapon, as well as additional items of concern,” said Patrick Grandy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “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.” “This case is a strong example of the important work our agents do to keep the individuals we protect and our protected sites safe, starting well before each and every visit,” said Armando Marquez, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Since the moment our agents became aware of this individual, they’ve worked tirelessly with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and our federal partners to investigate this case. We take seriously any information that could indicate a potential threat to individuals under Secret Service protection and we’re deeply grateful for the prompt and thorough work by our agents and law enforcement partners.” According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, on July 31, federal agents conducted a security assessment at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes taken in advance of a visit to the club by President Donald J. Trump on August 4. During this security assessment, federal agents saw a suspicious individual later identified as Taele at the club. Taele was seen walking throughout the golf course at Trump Golf Club, was wearing an earpiece, and took photographs and filmed videos of federal agents’ security-planning activities. Taele later left the area and drove away. On August 2, Taele returned to Trump Golf Club. Golf course staff notified federal agents, who were continuing their security assessment. Taele approached the federal agents and stated that he was employed by the State Department and was at the location for security detail. Taele further admitted to having a loaded firearm in his car, which was parked in the Trump Golf Club parking lot. Federal agents contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and sheriff’s deputies arrived at the club. LASD deputies learned that Taele was wanted in connection with a robbery case out of El Segundo. Taele was detained and a 16-round magazine containing hollow-point ammunition was found in his pants pockets. A search of Taele’s pickup truck led to the seizure of a loaded 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition, a pair of binoculars, and a badge that read, “security protection agent.” A search of Taele’s residence on August 3 led to the seizure of an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, other firearms, body armor, high-capacity magazines, an earpiece, two radio signal devices, and multiple notebooks containing concerning statements.