Federal authorities reported that a man was apprehended by Secret Service agents after being seen entering the residence of Vice President JD Vance, located in a suburb of Cincinnati.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A suspect accused of defacing the Ohio residence of Vice President JD Vance under the cover of darkness and inflicting additional property damage was in custody on Tuesday, facing both state and federal charges.
William D. DeFoor, aged 26, attended hearings in two separate courtrooms following his arrest early Monday morning by Secret Service agents at Vance’s home, which is situated in the upscale East Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati. At the time, the vice president and his family were absent from the premises.
An affidavit filed in federal court reveals that Secret Service agents observed an individual running along the fence of Vance’s property and crossing onto the grounds around midnight. DeFoor, later identified, was reportedly equipped with a hammer and attempted to shatter the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle as he advanced up the driveway. He then proceeded to the house’s facade, where he smashed several glass windows, according to the affidavit.
The damage included the destruction of 14 historic window panes and harm to security enhancements, with repair costs estimated at $28,000, as outlined in the court documents.
A judge set bonds amounting to $11,000 on various state charges, including vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging, and obstruction of official business, filed in Hamilton County court. DeFoor had previously been found incompetent to stand trial for a 2023 criminal trespassing charge and was directed to undergo treatment following a 2024 vandalism charge. A grand jury hearing is set for January 15.
A hearing in the federal case to determine whether DeFoor can be released on bond from the Hamilton County jail was set for Friday in the federal District Court in Cincinnati.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Ohio’s southern district brought charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.
The first two charges are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
DeFoor’s defense attorney, Paul Laufman, said in county court that his client was not motivated by politics, calling the alleged conduct “purely a mental health issue.”
In a statement read outside the federal courthouse while standing alongside her husband, Catherine DeFoor, the defendant’s mother, said “mental illness is a terrible thing” and that the family’s lives “are full of stress and sadness and grief.” She offered prayers for the Vances and their children.
DeFoor described her child as a straight-A student who was awarded a full scholarship to study music.
Vance said in an interview on Tuesday on “The Scott Jennings Show” that his family had left town a few hours before the attack.
“We have stronger winds than most because I’m a protectee of the Secret Service,” he said.
He said that the person hammered the windows, “but eventually realized they weren’t getting anywhere, ran off, and were captured by the Secret Service as they tried to escape.”
Vance said he would let the investigation play out before commenting on a possible motive of the suspect, but it was “clearly a very sick individual.”
“There are crazy people out there and we’re thankful for the Secret Service and the grace of God that we’re still here to do the job that we can,” he said.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
