A man who jumped over the White House fence draped in an American flag on Thanksgiving has been charged.

Joseph Caputo, 22, of Connecticut, scaled the north fence on Thursday afternoon and gained access to the north grounds, but was immediately arrested, the Secret Service said.

The intrusion prompted a lockdown as the first family celebrated Thanksgiving.

Caputo has now been charged with unlawful entry, a Secret Service spokesman said.

Witness Victoria Pena, from Houston, said Caputo was standing with other people visiting the White House compound when he rushed toward the fence carrying what appeared to be a binder.

She said he then lay on the grass awaiting security personnel and guard dogs.