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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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William D. DeFoor, 26, faces multiple federal charges, accused of attacking Vice President JD Vance's Cincinnati home with a hammer early Monday morning, causing more than $28,000 in damage to government security equipment.
Newsweek reached out to the vice president's office via email on Monday for comment.
Who Is William DeFoor?
DeFoor is from Cincinnati and had two prior arrests. Other reports linked him to Crestview Hills, Kentucky, where records showed he had relatives.
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DeFoor is registered to vote in Ohio, but not aligned with a political party, and the last time he voted was in the 2020 election, according to records. DeFoor registered in October 2017, when he turned 18.
He was arrested in 2023, accused of trespassing at the University of Cincinnati's Psychiatric Emergency Services, but was found not competent to stand trial and had the charges dismissed, according to Cincinnati news station WLWT. He was also arrested in 2024 on two counts of vandalism but was granted treatment in lieu of conviction, the outlet also reported.
What To Know
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced the charges Monday evening, confirming DeFoor is charged with damaging government property, engaging in physical violence on restricted grounds and assaulting federal officers.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Secret Service agents observed DeFoor running along the front fence of the protected residence around midnight.
DeFoor breached the property line at the driveway and attempted to break the driver's side window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle blocking the entrance while armed with a hammer, authorities said.
When agents ordered him to stop and drop the weapon, authorities said, DeFoor ignored all commands and began using the hammer to break glass windows across the front of the residence. The strikes damaged enhanced security assets on each window owned by the U.S. government, valued at more than $28,000. DeFoor is also accused of attempted to then flee on foot before being arrested.
Initial booking details from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office showed DeFoor also faces four state charges: criminal trespass, criminal damage or endangering, obstructing official business and vandalism. Records showed a hold had been placed on him, preventing his release.
What People Are Saying
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, in a statement sent to Newsweek Monday: “An adult male was taken into custody by the Cincinnati Police Department after being detained by U.S. Secret Service personnel for causing property damage, including breaking windows on the exterior of a personal residence associated with the Vice President.
“Shortly after midnight on Monday, January 5, the man was physically detained by Secret Service agents assigned to the Vice President’s home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident, and the Vice President and his family were not in Ohio.
“The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are reviewed.”
Vance, on X: “I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows.”
Southern District of Ohio Attorney General's Office, in part: "Causing more than $1,000 in damage to United States property and engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds are each federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison."
What Happens Next
DeFoor is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
Update 1/5/26, 8:23 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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