A Cincinnati man accused of vandalizing the residence of U.S. Senator J.D. Vance earlier this year entered a guilty plea in federal court on Tuesday, according to official statements.
William D. DeFoor, 26, reportedly inflicted tens of thousands of dollars in damage on January 5 when he used a hammer to break multiple windows at Senator Vance’s home, which was unoccupied at the time.
DeFoor specifically confessed to acts of physical violence against government officials or property, as well as the willful injury or destruction of U.S. government property, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
His legal counsel had previously indicated that the actions were not politically motivated, emphasizing that DeFoor struggles with mental health conditions. Court records show a history of criminal cases involving determinations of mental incompetency for DeFoor.
“Perpetrators like DeFoor, who put that freedom at risk, particularly through violent, destructive actions, will, like here, be vigorously prosecuted,” U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated on Tuesday.
Details of the Incident
According to court documents, DeFoor was taken into custody around midnight after Secret Service agents observed him near the front fence of the protected residence. Senator Vance and his family were in Washington, D.C., when the incident occurred.
Wielding a hammer, DeFoor reportedly crossed the property line at the driveway and proceeded to target an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle positioned to block the driveway entrance. Prosecutors detailed that DeFoor used the weapon to strike the driver’s-side window of the vehicle three times.
As Secret Service agents responded to the scene, DeFoor reportedly disregarded all commands to cease his actions and drop the weapon, according to charging documents.
He then used the hammer to shatter large, historic glass windows across the front of the home, officials reported.
The attack reportedly damaged components of an advanced security system installed on each window. This equipment, owned by the U.S. government, was valued at over $28,000, prosecutors noted.
Secret Service agents, with assistance from Cincinnati police officers, eventually apprehended DeFoor after he attempted to flee on foot.
On Tuesday, Gerace further condemned the violence, reiterating that assaults against U.S. officials would be prosecuted.
“Acts of violence directed against our political leaders, their families, or property, have no place in our society and will not be tolerated. Our elected leaders, at all levels of government, must be permitted to carry out their duties free from threats, vandalism, and other forms of violence,” Gerace affirmed.
History of Mental Health Challenges
Court records indicate that DeFoor has a history of mental health issues in Hamilton County extending back more than two years.
In April 2023, DeFoor faced charges of trespassing at University of Cincinnati Health Psychiatric Emergency Services after law enforcement stated he refused to leave the premises. He was subsequently ruled incompetent to stand trial, leading to the dismissal of that case.
The following year, DeFoor was charged with two counts of vandalism after windows at a business in Hyde Park were broken. This case was directed to a mental health docket, where treatment was mandated as an alternative to conviction.
The Hamilton County Court later approved an application granting DeFoor’s mother legal guardianship, following a finding that he was incompetent due to mental illness.