WASHINGTON: The Texas man accused of breaking into the White House while armed with a knife is a US military veteran who was decorated for his service in the Iraq war, the US Army said on Sunday.

Omar Gonzalez, 42, appeared in court in Washington on Monday facing a charge of unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. The man had 800 rounds of ammunition in his car, the court was told. “Mr Gonzalez’s preoccupation with the White House and accumulation of a large amount of ammunition ... renders him a danger to the president,” US prosecutor David Mudd said.

In addition to the ammunition, found in a car parked near the White House, investigators uncovered two hatchets and a machete. Mudd made no mention of any firearms.

The prosecutor told the court that the suspect was already facing charges in the US state of Virginia over an illegal sawed-off shotgun found in his vehicle.

Mudd said, he was also found in possession of a map with the locations of the White House and of a Masonic temple in the Washington DC suburbs circled.The defendant was remanded in custody pending a preliminary hearing on Oct. 1.

According to the army, Gonzalez, who had the rank of sergeant, enlisted in July 1997, listing his home as Puerto Rico, and was discharged in September 2003 after completing his service obligation. He re-enlisted in 2005 and retired on disability from the Army in 2012.

Gonzalez served in Iraq from October 2006 to January 2008, receiving decorations including an Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars. During his first enlistment, he served with the 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Postings during his second enlistment included Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state and Fort Hood.

A second man was arrested on Saturday for trespassing at the White House after approaching the White House gates on foot, being sent away and then returned in a vehicle.

The agency has increased security around the White House following the security breach and started a review of its response.