In Cincinnati, Ohio, William D. DeFoor, aged 26, formally declared a plea of not guilty on Tuesday in federal court, responding to several charges tied to an act of vandalism at the residence of Vice President JD Vance earlier this month.
DeFoor is currently facing three federal charges: destruction of government property, engaging in physical violence against individuals or property within restricted federal premises, and assaulting, resisting, or obstructing federal officers. Each of the first two counts carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years, while the third count may result in a prison term of up to 20 years.
Federal indictments specify that Secret Service agents observed a suspect sprinting along the fence bordering Vance's house, situated in the affluent East Walnut Hills area, around midnight on January 5. This individual subsequently crossed onto the secured property, armed with a hammer, and attempted to shatter a window of an unmarked vehicle operated by the Secret Service parked along the driveway.
The suspect then advanced toward the front façade of the property, causing damage to 14 historic window panes. An affidavit submitted in the case estimates the cost to repair the damaged security installations around these windows at approximately $28,000.
During court proceedings, DeFoor's defense attorney, Paul Laufman, conveyed that the situation should be understood fundamentally as a mental health issue. Laufman suggested that his client’s actions were not driven by political intentions.