Federal and local authorities have charged a 26-year-old Ohio man following an overnight incident that caused significant damage to the Cincinnati-area residence of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Officials say the property was vandalized in the early hours of Monday while the vice president and his family were away in Washington, D.C.
According to court filings, the suspect, William DeFoor, allegedly struck multiple windows and security fixtures at the home using a hammer. Law enforcement personnel assigned to protect the property intervened and took the suspect into custody after a brief pursuit.
Court Appearances and Charges
DeFoor appeared Tuesday in Hamilton County Municipal Court, where a judge set bond on several local counts, including criminal damaging, trespassing, and vandalism. Later the same day, he was brought before a federal judge, who ordered him held pending a detention hearing scheduled later this week.
Federal prosecutors have filed charges that include damaging government property and interfering with federal officers. Investigators allege the suspect attempted to damage a nearby Secret Service vehicle before turning his attention to the residence itself.
Extent of the Damage
Authorities estimate that more than a dozen individual glass panels were shattered across multiple front-facing windows. In addition to structural harm, officials say federally owned security enhancements installed at the residence were also damaged, pushing the estimated loss beyond $28,000.
Defense Cites Mental Health History
The suspect’s attorney told the court that the incident should be viewed through the lens of mental health, not politics. The defense emphasized that DeFoor has a documented history of treatment following earlier vandalism cases and argued there was no evidence he intended to target a high-ranking official.
Family members echoed those concerns outside the courthouse, describing a long struggle with mental illness and expressing gratitude to local police and Secret Service agents for resolving the situation without injuries.
Potential Penalties
If convicted on the federal counts alone, DeFoor could face decades in prison, in addition to any sentence imposed by the county court. Records show he previously pleaded guilty to unrelated vandalism charges in Cincinnati last year and was ordered to undergo treatment and pay restitution.
Official Reaction
Vice President Vance briefly addressed the matter, characterizing it as an isolated act and confirming that federal protective measures remain in place at his Ohio residence.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and no injuries were reported during the incident.
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