White House Security: California Man Arrested for Jumping White House Fence, Pleads Not Guilty in Court
The California man who was arrested late Sunday night for jumping over the White House fence pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry before a Washington, D.C. judge on Monday.
Jerome R. Hunt, 54, of Hayward, California, was arrested by uniformed officers after climbing over the fence on the south side of the White House around 10:25 p.m. EDT on Sunday, said Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary, reports NBC Washington.
Hunt then appeared in the District of Columbia Superior Court on Monday, where his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Hunt was ordered to stay away from the White House and released on the condition that he wear an electronic monitor.
"Mr. Hunt ... you are to stay away from the White House and the grounds surrounding the White House. Do you understand?" Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond asked Hunt, according to Reuters.
"I do," said Hunt in response.
When asked if he intended to cause harm when he scaled the White House fence, he told reporters: "No. Never."
He also commented on the action taken by the Secret Service to arrest him.
"They have a good protective system for the president. They acted real fast," Hunt said.
The incident comes at a time when the Secret Service has been under heavy scrutiny due to a series of security lapses in 2014.
In one incident, an Army veteran climbed over the White House security fence and ran into the East Room with a knife on Sept. 19. The White House intruder, who was identified as 42-year-old Omar J. Gonzalez of Copperas Cove, Texas, was eventually arrested. Officials also found 800 rounds of ammunition, two hatchets and a machete in his vehicle, which was parked nearby, reports NBC News.
It was also revealed that an armed security contractor with an assault record got onto an elevator with President Obama while he was visiting Atlanta on Sept. 16, according to reports by the Washington Post.
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