Man Jumps White House Fence

By Melanie Starkey

Posted August 2, 2011 at 8:17pm

Updated: 12:20 p.m.

A man was arrested without incident Tuesday night after he jumped the White House fence, multiple news agencies reported.

CNN’s “John King USA” television program aired the arrest live. Secret Service officers ordered the man to lie down after he crossed the fence and handcuffed him.

A backpack that was thrown over the fence was investigated for explosive material, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan told the Associated Press. The scene was cleared shortly after 9 p.m., CNN reported.

The Secret Service identified the man to CNN as James Dirk Crudup, 41. He will be charged with unlawful entry and contempt of court. Crudup is homeless and had previously been ordered to stay away from the White House because of past incidents.

It was unknown whether President Barack Obama was in the White House at the time of the incident.

Watch the CNN footage:

An earlier version of this story misidentified Ed Donovan. He is a Secret Service spokesman.

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