Secret Service agents 'angry' & 'disappointed' after intruder spent 16 minutes on WH grounds

Secret Service agents are "angry" and "extremely disappointed" after a White House intruder was able to scale three security barriers and stay on the White House grounds for at least 16 minutes late last Friday night, March 10.

According to a statement from the Secret Service made public on Friday, the intruder, 26-year-old Jonathan Tran, scaled three separate fences, ranging from 3 to 8 feet in height, beginning around 11:22 p.m. EST last Friday.

It wasn't until 11:38 p.m. EST that uniformed Secret Service agents located and apprehended Tran.

The agency's statement read:

At 11:21:38 pm an individual breached an outer perimeter fence near the Treasury complex, near

East Executive Avenue. This fence is approximately 5 feet in height. The individual proceeded

within the secure perimeter and scaled an 8 foot vehicle gate. The individual then proceeded to

climb over a 3 ½ foot fence near the SE corner of the East Wing of the White House grounds.

Uniformed Division Officers attempted to ascertain the location and identity of the individual. At

11:38:00 pm, the individual was taken into custody on the grounds without incident.

Despite spending a lengthy time on the White House grounds, the Secret Serviced confirmed that "at no time did the individual gain entry into the White House."

"The men and women of the Secret Service are extremely disappointed and angry in how the events of March 10th transpired," the statement said.

According to Reuters, Tran, who is from California, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for trespassing on the White House grounds.

Still, the Secret Service said they are taking steps to prevent similar breaches of security in the future.

"Immediate steps have been taken to mitigate lapses in security protocols even as the investigation continues," the statement read. "These steps include additional posts, technology enhancements, and response protocols."

House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) announced Friday that he was launching an investigation into the incident, according to the Associated Press, saying in a statement that the intruder was able to rattle the handle to a White House door.