WASHINGTON — The man accused of scaling a security fence and getting into the White House with a knife is scheduled to have his initial appearance today in federal court.

Omar J. Gonzalez, 42, of Copperas Cove, Texas, is facing charges of unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. The Army said Gonzalez served from 1997 until his discharge in 2003, and again from 2005 to December 2012, when he retired due to disability.

The Secret Service tightened their guard outside the White House after Friday’s embarrassing breach in the security of one of the most closely protected buildings in the world. Gonzalez is accused of scaling the White House perimeter fence, running across the lawn and entering the presidential mansion before agents stopped him.

President Barack Obama and his family were away at the time.

Secret Service Director Julia Pierson has ordered increased surveillance and more officer patrols, and has begun an investigation into what went wrong.