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Crime & Courts

Cincinnati man pleads guilty to vandalizing Vice President Vance's home

William D. DeFoor, 26, admitted to damaging the Vice President's residence and a federal vehicle with a hammer.

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 1, 2026, 5:55 p.m. ET
A Cincinnati man guilty in federal court on September 1, 2026, to vandalizing Vice President JD Vance's Cincinnati home, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. William D. DeFoor, 26, 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. According to court documents, around midnight on Jan. 5, Secret Service agents observed DeFoor running along the front fence of the protected residence. He breached the property line, attempted to break the window of an unmarked federal vehicle, and used a hammer to strike the vehicle window three times. He then broke large historic glass windows across the front of the residence, causing damage to security assets valued at approximately $28,000. DeFoor was detained after attempting to flee. U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II said, "Acts of violence directed against our political leaders, their families, or property, have no place in our society and will not be tolerated." Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined at a future hearing. DeFoor has been in custody since his arrest and was indicted by a federal grand jury in January.

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  1. Version 11 Sept 2026, 21:55current

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