William D. DeFoor, 26, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Cincinnati to charges stemming from the January 5 vandalism of Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio home. Prosecutors charged DeFoor with damaging government property, physical violence against property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.
The charges carry substantial prison exposure. DeFoor faces up to 10 years in prison on each of the first two counts and up to 20 years on the third. The January 5 incident at the East Walnut Hills neighborhood residence resulted in damage to security enhancements valued at $28,000.
The Incident
Secret Service agents observed someone running along the front fence of Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home just after midnight on January 5, according to federal authorities. The person identified as DeFoor breached the property line while armed with a hammer. As he moved up the driveway, he attempted to break the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle. He then proceeded to the front of the home and broke 14 historic window panes.
Defense Position
DeFoor’s attorney, Paul Laufman, has said the situation represents “purely a mental health issue” and that his client was not motivated by politics.