Man arrested with gun near Trump's California golf course ahead of fundraiser

A 38-year-old man was arrested near President Donald Trump's Los Angeles-area golf course after authorities alleged he was monitoring security preparations ahead of Trump's fundraising event at the venue, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.The man, identified as Jeanine John Taele, was detained on Sunday after deputies found a 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket. Authorities also recovered a loaded pistol from his vehicle. Investigators later searched his home in the nearby city of Downey and seized multiple firearms, magazines, ammunition, body armour and notebooks containing what officials described as "concerning statements."The arrest was announced as Trump prepared to attend a fundraising dinner for the Republican National Committee at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, south of Los Angeles.According to the sheriff's department, Taele had been taking photographs and recording videos around the golf course while appearing to monitor security arrangements two days before the event.Taele has been charged with several felony offences, including second-degree robbery, receiving a large-capacity magazine and possession of a short-barrelled rifle or shotgun. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday. A court ordered him to stay away from the golf course and prohibited him from possessing weapons. His bail was set at $250,000.Authorities said Taele was already under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department in connection with a robbery case when deputies contacted him on Sunday.The sheriff's department said there is "no credible threat to our communities."The arrest comes more than a year after a jury in 2025 found a man guilty of attempting to assassinate Trump at the president's Florida golf club.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.