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William DeFoor, 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two federal charges related to vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home in January. Prosecutors said DeFoor used a hammer to damage windows at the East Walnut Hills residence and a federal law enforcement vehicle, causing about $28,000 in damage.
A vandalism case resulted in federal guilty pleas from a Cincinnati man Tuesday.
This involves two federal charges tied to damage at Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati residence.
William D. DeFoor, 26, pleaded guilty Sept. 1 to two federal charges related to the January vandalism at Vance’s East Walnut Hills home.
The guilty plea means DeFoor was convicted on the two counts. However, a federal judge has not yet sentenced him.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, DeFoor pleaded guilty to engaging in acts of physical violence against government officials or property. He also pleaded guilty to causing willful injury or depredation to property of the United States.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. The court will determine DeFoor’s sentence later based on federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Vandalism led to federal charges
The vandalism occurred shortly after midnight on Jan. 5 at the vice president’s Cincinnati residence.
Federal prosecutors said Secret Service agents saw DeFoor running along the front fence of the protected property.
According to court documents, DeFoor crossed the property line near the driveway. He then attempted to break the driver’s-side window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle.
DeFoor used a hammer and struck the vehicle window three times, according to prosecutors. He then ignored commands from law enforcement to stop and drop the weapon.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said DeFoor then used the hammer to break large historic glass windows across the front of the residence.
His strikes also damaged enhanced security equipment attached to the windows. The government valued that security equipment at approximately $28,000.
DeFoor attempted to run from the property after the damage occurred. Secret Service agents and Cincinnati police officers detained him.
Vice President Vance and his family were not at the Cincinnati home when the incident occurred. They had already returned to Washington, D.C., according to earlier reports from local news outlets.
The Cincinnati Exchange previously reported on the incident and the early court proceedings involving DeFoor.
The Cincinnati Exchange’s earlier report on the Vance home incident
Vance home vandalism caused about $28,000 in damage
The federal case includes significant damage to property connected to the vice president’s security operation.
FOX19 reported Tuesday that DeFoor must pay approximately $28,000 in restitution. The amount covers damage involving 14 windows equipped with government-owned electronic security devices.
The original federal case included three charges. Prosecutors initially accused DeFoor of damaging government property, committing physical violence against property in a restricted area, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.
The plea agreement reduced the case to two guilty pleas.
WLWT reported that the remaining federal charge will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement. The agreement also requires DeFoor to stay at least 350 yards away from Vance, his family members and any residence occupied by Vance.
The agreement also waives DeFoor’s right to a jury trial and his right to appeal his sentence, according to WLWT.
DeFoor has remained in federal custody since his January arrest.
What happened during the January incident
The case began when Secret Service agents responded to activity outside Vance’s Cincinnati residence.
Federal prosecutors said DeFoor approached the property carrying a hammer. He allegedly first targeted an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle positioned near the driveway.
After agents ordered him to stop, prosecutors said DeFoor continued toward the residence.
He then damaged multiple windows on the front of the home. The government also reported damage to security equipment installed on the windows.
The incident prompted a response from both the Secret Service and Cincinnati police.
Earlier federal charging documents said the damage to government property exceeded $28,000. Prosecutors also alleged that DeFoor attempted to flee after damaging the property.
FOX19 reported after the January arrest that DeFoor also faced local charges. Those included vandalism, criminal damaging or endangering, criminal trespass and obstructing official business. The state charges were later dismissed as the federal case moved forward.
The federal grand jury indicted DeFoor in January on three charges connected to the incident. The indictment formally moved the case forward in federal court.
Federal sentencing will come later
DeFoor’s guilty plea does not determine the final prison sentence.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the two offenses each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The court will consider federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors before imposing a sentence.
FOX19 reported that DeFoor also faces up to three years of supervised release following any prison term. The plea agreement includes approximately $28,000 in restitution for the property damage.
The sentencing date has not been announced in the Justice Department’s Sept. 1 release.
The case also illustrates the federal consequences that can follow property damage at a protected residence when government security equipment is involved.
The federal government prosecuted the case because the incident involved government property and a residence protected by the Secret Service.
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II said the government will prosecute violent or destructive acts directed at political leaders, their families or property.
The Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Cincinnati Police Department participated in the case announcement Tuesday.
Vance’s Cincinnati home remains part of the case record
The East Walnut Hills residence became the center of the federal investigation after the January incident.
The home has received Secret Service protection because Vance is the vice president. The January incident occurred while Vance and his family were away in Washington.
The case has remained in federal court since DeFoor’s arrest. Tuesday’s guilty plea now moves the proceeding toward sentencing.
The Cincinnati connection also drew attention from local media throughout the case.
Local 12 reported Tuesday that DeFoor pleaded guilty to the same two federal counts announced by prosecutors. The station also reported that the damage involved Vance’s East Walnut Hills residence and a Secret Service vehicle.
The Cincinnati Enquirer also reported on the plea agreement before Tuesday’s hearing, including the restitution amount and restrictions involving Vance and his family.
For Cincinnati residents, the case now shifts from questions about the arrest and charges to the federal sentencing process.
The court will decide the sentence after reviewing the case under federal law.
FAQs
What charges did William DeFoor plead guilty to?
DeFoor pleaded guilty to engaging in acts of physical violence against government officials or property and causing willful injury or depredation to property of the United States. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
How much damage did the Vance home vandalism cause?
Federal prosecutors placed the value of damaged government-owned security equipment at approximately $28,000. DeFoor must pay about $28,000 in restitution for damage involving 14 windows and related security equipment.
Was JD Vance home when the vandalism happened?
No. Vance and his family were in Washington, D.C., when the January incident occurred. Earlier reports said the family had already returned to Washington before the vandalism.
Has DeFoor been sentenced?
No. DeFoor pleaded guilty Sept. 1, but the federal court will determine his sentence at a later hearing. Each of the two federal charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
What happens next in this case?
The next major step is federal sentencing. The court will consider the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors before determining DeFoor’s punishment.
Will DeFoor be allowed near Vance?
The plea agreement requires DeFoor to stay at least 350 yards away from Vance, his family members and any residence occupied by Vance. The restriction also applies whether the residence is occupied or not.
