A suspect in the vandalism of JD Vance’s Ohio home must stay in jail until trial

A federal judge ordered Tuesday that the suspect accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio home must remain incarcerated while awaiting trial, rejecting any possibility of pre-trial release.

Chief Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman’s ruling means William D. DeFoor, 26, of Cincinnati, will continue his confinement in Hamilton County jail. The court scheduled a preliminary hearing for January 20 in Cincinnati’s federal district court to move the case forward.

DeFoor faces serious federal charges related to the incident, including damaging government property and engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area. Each of these charges carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment. Additionally, he faces charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers, which could result in up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.

The incident occurred in the early hours of January 5, when Secret Service personnel stationed at Vance’s residence in Cincinnati’s upscale East Walnut Hills neighborhood observed an individual—later identified as DeFoor—running along the property’s front fence before breaching the security perimeter.

According to authorities, DeFoor was armed with a hammer and attempted to break the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle while approaching the residence. He then proceeded to damage multiple windows at the front of the home and vandalized part of the security system. Vice President Vance and his family were not at the residence during the incident.

Paul Laufman, DeFoor’s defense attorney, has maintained that the vandalism stemmed from mental health issues rather than political motivation. “This is purely a mental health issue,” Laufman stated, attempting to frame the incident outside of the increasingly tense political climate.

The case has drawn significant attention as attacks and threats against political figures have risen sharply in recent years. The Secret Service has been working to enhance protection for high-profile government officials, especially following several concerning incidents involving current and former political leaders.

The incident at Vance’s home comes amid heightened security concerns for public officials. The Department of Homeland Security has previously issued warnings about the increased threat environment facing government representatives at all levels. Law enforcement agencies nationwide have responded by allocating additional resources to protecting elected officials and their families.

Federal prosecutors have not publicly speculated on DeFoor’s motivations, focusing instead on the seriousness of breaching security at a vice presidential residence. The prosecution’s decision to pursue multiple federal charges underscores the gravity with which authorities view attacks on government officials’ homes and security perimeters.

Security experts note that such incidents, regardless of motivation, require substantial response from law enforcement and often lead to enhanced protective measures for public officials. The costs associated with such security enhancements ultimately fall to taxpayers.

The case also highlights challenges faced by the Secret Service in protecting officials’ personal residences, which typically lack the comprehensive security infrastructure of government buildings like the White House or Capitol.

As the case moves toward trial, both prosecution and defense teams will likely present additional evidence regarding DeFoor’s actions and potential motivations. Mental health evaluations may play a significant role in determining how the case proceeds through the federal court system.

If convicted on all charges, DeFoor could face decades in federal prison, though sentencing would ultimately depend on various factors including criminal history, acceptance of responsibility, and the specific details of the offense as determined at trial.