A Cincinnati man previously found incompetent to stand trial was arrested early Monday morning after allegedly damaging Vice President JD Vance’s East Walnut Hills home, according to federal and local authorities.
William Defoor, 26, of Hyde Park, was taken into custody shortly after midnight following reports of vandalism at the vice president’s residence on William Howard Taft Drive. Court records show Defoor has a history of mental health-related court cases, including a prior ruling that he was incompetent to stand trial.
Investigators allege Defoor broke windows at Vance’s home and damaged a nearby vehicle overnight. The Secret Service, which provides security for the property, said agents detained the man shortly after midnight. He’s been charged with criminal damaging, obstructing official business, criminal trespass and felony vandalism.
Vance responded to the news on X, saying his family was not home at the time of the alleged attack.
“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,” Vance wrote.
Court records show Defoor has a history of mental health-related court cases. In 2024, Defoor faced a vandalism charge that was referred to a mental health docket, where he was granted treatment in lieu of conviction — treatment that was still ongoing at the time of his arrest. In 2023, a trespassing charge at UC Health’s psychiatric emergency services was dismissed after Defoor was found incompetent to stand trial and referred to Hamilton County Probate Court.
Defoor will appear in Hamilton County Court for an arraignment on Tuesday.