Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Home

An Ohio resident named William D. DeFoor pleaded guilty in federal court for vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home. The incident happened earlier this year on January 5. DeFoor, aged 26, used a hammer to smash multiple windows, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the unoccupied residence.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that DeFoor admitted to committing acts of physical violence specifically aimed at government officials or their properties, including deliberate damage to U.S. government property.

“Perpetrators like DeFoor, who jeopardize that freedom through violent, destructive actions, will face vigorous prosecution,” stated U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II.

Despite the assaults, DeFoor’s defense attorney indicated that the actions were not politically motivated, citing mental health issues as a contributing factor. Court documents reveal DeFoor’s previous criminal cases involving determinations of mental incompetency.

DeFoor remained in custody for nearly nine months following the vandalism incident. Secret Service agents detained DeFoor around midnight after seeing him near the front fence of Vance’s protected residence. At the time, Vance and his family were in Washington, D.C.

DeFoor allegedly breached the property line and targeted an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle at the driveway entrance by striking its driver’s-side window thrice with a hammer.

Prosecutors reported that upon the intervention of Secret Service agents, DeFoor ignored directives to stop and discard the hammer. He proceeded to break large, historic glass windows at the front of Vance’s home, damaging components of a security system valued at over $28,000, owned by the U.S. government.

Police officers and Secret Service agents were able to detain DeFoor as he attempted to flee on foot.

“Acts of violence toward our political leaders or their property have no place in our society and will not be tolerated. Elected officials must be able to perform their duties without threats or violence,” Gerace asserted.

DeFoor has a history of mental health issues documented over the past two years in Hamilton County.

When apprehended, DeFoor reportedly insisted on being addressed as “Julia.” In a prior incident in April 2023, he was charged with trespassing at University of Cincinnati Health Psychiatric Emergency Services after refusing to leave. This case was dismissed following a determination of incompetency to stand trial.

The following year, DeFoor faced two counts of vandalism linked to broken windows at a business in Hyde Park. The case was redirected to a mental health docket, and treatment was ordered instead of conviction.

Eventually, Hamilton County Court awarded legal guardianship to DeFoor’s mother, recognizing his incompetency due to mental illness.