Man arrested at CA golf club before Trump visit

By: Noe Padilla
and Daniella Segura
USA Today

..... An armed man was arrested on August 2 [2026] after federal agents said they observed him taking photographs and appearing to monitor security-planning activities throughout the Trump National Golf Club, days before the president was scheduled to visit the Southern California course.
..... The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department announced the arrest on August 4, [2026] the same day President Donald Trump spoke at a Republican National Committee dinner hosted at the club in Rancho Palso Verdes.
..... Deputes were alerted of "a suspicious individual" at about 3:30 PM. on August 2 [2026] after plain clothes federal agents noticed a man taking photos and videos as he walked through the golf course grounds.
..... Sheriff's deputies from the Lomita Station arrived on scene shortly after receiving the report and questioned the man, who was identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele from Downey, California, according to police. It was quickly determined that Taele was being investigated for robbery by the El Segundo Police Department, resulting in deputies retaining him and finding a 16-round magazine in his pants pocket, according to police.
..... Deputies then searched his vehicle, which was located in the golf course's parking lot, and found a loaded pistol and an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition. Taele was arrested and preliminarily charged with carnying a concealed firearm and possession of armor-piercing ammunition.
..... On August 3, [2026] detectives form the Sher riff's Department's Major Crimes Bureau executed a search warrant on Taele's home and ercovred two firearms, body armor, high-capacity magazines,a bulk of pistol and rifle ammunition and "multiple notebooks contacting concerning statements," according to police.
..... The case was handed over to the Los angels County District Attorney's Office on August 4, [2026] which will determine whether it plans to charge Taele.
..... Taele plead not guilty at arraignment on August 4, [2026] Venusse D, Dunn with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in an email to USA Today.
..... His bail was set at $250,000 and he was ordered not to possess weapons.
..... The court imposed a stay-away order from Trump Golf Course against Taele. He was also ordered not to leave the state of California, according to Dunn in an email to USA Today.
..... The preliminary hearing and bail review is set for August 26. [2026]
..... Trump's office confirmed on August 3 [2026] that he would be visiting he Golden State and Las Vegas to highlight he "wins" his administration has accomplished for Californians and Nevadans, "despite failed Democrat leadership," according to Olivia Wales, White House spokeswoman.
..... California Governor Gavin Newson on August 4 [2026] used Trump's visit to call on him "to deliver on a promise he made 18 months ago," referring to federal disaster aid California has sought to help survivors rebuild after the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires.

..... Contributing: Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press.

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