William D. DeFoor, 26, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an incident in January where he damaged Vice President JD Vance's Ohio residence. The charges include engaging in acts of physical violence against government officials and causing willful injury to U.S. property, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Ohio.
DeFoor was apprehended by Secret Service agents on January 5 as he approached Vance's $1.4 million Cincinnati home. Vance and his family were not present at the time. DeFoor reportedly used a hammer to strike an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle and the windows of Vance's home, refusing demands to drop the weapon. Prosecutors estimate the damage to U.S. government-owned property at approximately $28,000.
"Acts of violence directed against our political leaders, their families, or property, have no place in our society and will not be tolerated," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "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."
DeFoor's attorneys have stated that his actions were not politically motivated and were unrelated to Vice President Vance specifically. They cited an extensive history of mental health struggles, including a schizophrenia diagnosis, as the primary cause for his behavior.
His mother, Catherine DeFoor, a pediatrician, previously stated that mental illness had "taken over" her child's life. Court records indicate DeFoor has a history of legal issues linked to his mental health. In 2023, he was charged with trespassing at a psychiatric emergency service, and a court found him incompetent to stand trial, leading to the case's dismissal. The following year, he faced vandalism charges for breaking windows at a local business, and a court ordered him to receive treatment.
DeFoor's mother was later granted legal guardianship over him after he was deemed incompetent due to mental illness. His defense attorneys argued that his actions during a mental health crisis, while resulting in property damage, did not indicate an inherently violent person.
DeFoor previously spent time in a locked mental health facility following a 2024 arrest, where he reportedly responded well to treatment and began working on a bachelor's degree. However, his symptoms reportedly returned in December 2025. Judge Douglas R. Cole denied his request to await trial at his parents' home, and he has remained in detention.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for a later date. DeFoor faces up to 10 years in prison for the charges.
DeFoor is the son of Dr. William DeFoor, a pediatric urologist, and Dr. Catherine DeFoor, a pediatrician. He previously attended The Summit Country Day School, a private high school. Reports have also indicated that DeFoor has transitioned to female and uses the name Julia.