Here’s what happened.
A 32-year-old man was arrested for trespassing at former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, after unlawfully entering the property. Bijan Ty Arceo, a former real estate agent, was caught around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, after jumping over a wall surrounding the estate. The Palm Beach Police Department responded to a call from the United States Secret Service, which had flagged Arceo as an unauthorized individual on the grounds.
Arceo, who hails from Sunny Isles, Florida, was apprehended near the property’s north service gate along South Ocean Boulevard. According to a probable cause affidavit, Secret Service agents observed Arceo scaling a wall just south of a closed gate marked with a “no trespassing” sign. Despite the numerous security measures in place, including high gates and visible warning signs, Arceo managed to breach the perimeter without permission.
While Mar-a-Lago has long been under the protection of the Secret Service due to its status as a federally designated secure area, Arceo’s actions were a direct violation of federal law. The property, which has been designated as a secure location following the attempted assassination of President Trump at a campaign rally in 2022, requires all visitors to go through a thorough security screening. Arceo did not undergo any such process.
At his first court appearance, Arceo pleaded not guilty to the charge of trespassing with the intent to commit an offense. Judge Ashley Zuckerman set his bond at $20,000 and ordered that he have no further contact with Trump or the estate. Secret Service officials stated that while the breach did not disrupt protective operations, they take all such incidents seriously and are committed to safeguarding the former president and his properties.
Arceo, who was licensed as a real estate broker in Colorado from 2016 to 2019, has a history of ties to multiple states, including California and Colorado. His online profiles reveal an interest in shamanism, a spiritual practice often linked to personal transformation and mystical experiences.
While Arceo’s motivations remain unclear, this incident highlights the ongoing security concerns surrounding Mar-a-Lago and underscores the importance of maintaining strict security protocols for all individuals associated with former President Trump, given the high-profile nature of his estates. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 30, 2025.
