An Ohio man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to vandalizing the Cincinnati home of U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
William D. DeFoor, 26, admitted to smashing multiple windows at Vance's unoccupied home on Jan. 5 with a hammer, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. DeFoor also targeted an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle blocking the driveway, striking its driver's-side window three times.
During the incident, Secret Service agents observed DeFoor breaching the property line. He ignored commands to stop and drop the weapon before proceeding to smash large, historic glass windows on the front of the house. The attack also damaged components of an enhanced security system owned by the U.S. government, valued at over $28,000.
DeFoor was apprehended by Secret Service agents and Cincinnati police officers after attempting to flee on foot. Vance and his family were in Washington, D.C., at the time of the incident.
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated that perpetrators of such destructive actions will be vigorously prosecuted, emphasizing that acts of violence against political leaders, their families, or property will not be tolerated.
DeFoor's defense attorney has previously stated that the assaults were not politically motivated and that DeFoor suffers from mental health issues. Court records indicate DeFoor has a history of cases involving findings of mental incompetency. In previous incidents, he was found incompetent to stand trial in a trespassing case, and a vandalism case was referred to a mental health docket with treatment ordered in lieu of conviction. His mother was later granted legal guardianship after a finding of mental illness.
When arrested, DeFoor reportedly demanded to be called "Julia."