Man Is Cited for Trespassing on Actor Brad Pitt’s Property

A Beverly Hills man working for People magazine has been arrested on suspicion of trespassing on property reportedly owned by actor Brad Pitt near El Capitan State Park, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

Jeffrey Weiss, 23, was detained by a security guard at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, after he was spotted standing on a bluff overlooking the property, said Sgt. Erik Raney. The property, which includes the bluff, was not fenced off but had a “no trespassing” sign, Raney said.

It did not appear that Weiss was a photographer or staff writer for the magazine, Raney said. “Basically, he was some kind of scout or forward guy.”

Sheriff’s deputies escorted Weiss back to his car and found a copy of an e-mail between Weiss and an associate bureau chief for People’s Los Angeles bureau.

“The correspondence gave him directions to the property and directed him to see what he could see -- lights, trucks, parties -- and report back,” Raney said.

Weiss received a misdemeanor citation and was ordered to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Neither Weiss nor a Pitt spokesman could be reached for comment Tuesday.

Authorities said the property was believed to belong to Pitt based on the correspondence. Raney said, “The security manager told deputies that the property belonged to a high-profile celebrity.”