The man was immediately captured by uniformed Secret Service agents.
Agency spokesman Ed Donovan says the man had a backpack that's being examined for possible explosive material.
Donovan says 41-year-old James Crudup is being transferred to District of Columbia police for processing and faces charges of unlawful entry and contempt of court for violating an order to stay away from the White House.
President Barack Obama was believed to be in the White House at the time.
