A Cincinnati man previously found incompetent to stand trial appeared in Hamilton County Court Tuesday on new state and federal charges tied to alleged vandalism at Vice President JD Vance’s East Walnut Hills home.
William Defoor, 26, was arrested early Monday morning after authorities said he damaged windows at the vice president’s residence on William Howard Taft Drive while Vance and his family were out of town. He faces state charges including vandalism, criminal damaging and trespassing, along with federal charges of damaging government property and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.
During Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors said Defoor caused roughly $28,000 in damage to Vance’s property early Monday morning, and that he attempted to break the window of a federal agent’s car. Prosecutors also alleged Defoor refused commands to drop a hammer and tried to flee the scene.
Defoor’s attorney told the court that his actions were driven by mental health issues and were not politically motivated. Court records show Defoor has a history of mental health-related court cases, including a prior ruling that he was incompetent to stand trial and referrals to treatment in lieu of conviction.
Vance commented on the case Monday on X, saying, “As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly. We weren’t even home as we had returned already to DC.”
A judge issued Defoor an $11,000 bond during the hearing. He has since been released from custody, according to the Hamilton County Jail, which confirmed his release to CityBeat.