University of Wisconsin student Mark Lindblom apologized to a federal magistrate Tuesday for tricking Secret Service members last November and gaining entry to Mar-a-Lago, where the president was spending Thanksgiving, The Palm Beach Post reports.
At the time, Lindblom was in Florida visiting his grandparents, who are members of the Palm Beach Bath & Tennis Club near Mar-a-Lago. He told the court he "wanted to see how far [he] could get." He walked down a beach the two clubs share and stood in line with Mar-a-Lago members waiting to enter.
"Mr. Lindblom was wanded by Secret Service agents and he walked on through," said his attorney, Marcos Beaton. Lindblom was arrested after wandering the grounds for about 20 minutes and taking a few photos with his phone.
"We have no reason to believe he had a political, criminal or terroristic purpose," Assistant U.S. Attorney John McMillan said. "It was a foolish decision he did on a lark."
Lindblom pleaded guilty to entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and was placed on probation for one year.
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