DALLAS _ A woman from the Dallas area was arrested by the Secret Service on Thursday morning after she tried to drive into the White House grounds, authorities said.
Joy Ihuoma Utokanandu, 42, of Grand Prairie, was stopped shortly after she attempted to follow another vehicle past a checkpoint into the complex, the U.S. Secret Service said.
Several surrounding streets were closed while city police and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team searched Utokanandu's black Mercedes SUV, the agency said. Two flash drives and a computer were seized from the vehicle, according to KXAS-TV.
Utokanandu's ex-husband, Jeffery Akharoh, told NBC5 that she struggles with mental health issues and did not mean any harm.
"Basically she needs help," he said. "She has no ill intent. On a normal day, with her normal self, this would not be happening."
