An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to charges related to the vandalism and attempted break-in at the Cincinnati home of U.S. Senator J.D. Vance in January. William DeFoor, 26, entered his plea Tuesday to charges of causing willful injury or depredation and carrying out physical violence against government officials.
DeFoor faces a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years for the incident, during which he allegedly used a hammer to smash glass windows at Vance's residence and strike security equipment. DeFoor, who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, is reportedly the son of a prominent Ohio physician and professor.
"Acts of violence directed against our political leaders, their families, or property, have no place in our society and will not be tolerated," stated U.S. Attorney Dominick 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 father, also named William, is a pediatric urologist in Cincinnati and a professor at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine. He is a Harvard University graduate and previously donated to Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign.