Authorities have detained a 26-year-old man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio residence, charging him with multiple state and federal offenses that could result in decades of imprisonment.

William D. DeFoor appeared in two separate courtrooms Tuesday after Secret Service agents apprehended him early Monday at Vance’s Cincinnati home in the affluent East Walnut Hills neighborhood. The vice president and his family were not at the residence during the incident.

According to federal court documents, Secret Service personnel observed DeFoor breaching the property’s perimeter around midnight. Armed with a hammer, he allegedly attempted to smash the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle in the driveway before proceeding to the house and breaking multiple windows.

The damage was substantial, with court filings indicating that fourteen historic window panes were shattered. The vandalism also affected security enhancements around the windows, with total damages estimated at $28,000.

In Hamilton County court, a judge set bonds totaling $11,000 for state charges including vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging, and obstruction of official business. Court records reveal DeFoor has a history of legal troubles, having previously been deemed incompetent to stand trial for a 2023 criminal trespassing charge. He was subsequently referred for treatment following a 2024 vandalism charge. A grand jury hearing regarding the current state charges is scheduled for January 15.

The federal case against DeFoor involves more serious allegations. The U.S. Attorney’s office for Ohio’s southern district has charged him with damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers. The first two charges each carry potential 10-year prison sentences, while the third could result in up to 20 years of incarceration. A bond hearing for the federal charges is set for Friday in Cincinnati’s federal District Court.

Paul Laufman, DeFoor’s defense attorney, emphasized in county court that his client’s actions were not politically motivated, describing the incident as “purely a mental health issue.” This characterization was echoed by DeFoor’s mother, Catherine, who delivered a statement outside the federal courthouse alongside her husband.

“Mental illness is a terrible thing,” she stated, adding that the family’s lives “are full of stress and sadness and grief.” She expressed prayers for the Vances and their children, and described her son as a former straight-A student who had earned a full scholarship to study music.

Vice President Vance addressed the incident Tuesday during an interview on “The Scott Jennings Show,” confirming that his family had departed the residence hours before the attack occurred. He credited the home’s robust security measures, which include reinforced windows, for preventing more extensive damage.

“We have stronger windows than most because I’m a protectee of the Secret Service,” Vance explained. He recounted that the suspect “hammered the windows but eventually realized they weren’t getting anywhere, ran off, and were captured by the Secret Service as they tried to escape.”

Regarding potential motives, the vice president indicated he would await the investigation’s findings before speculating, though he characterized the suspect as “clearly a very sick individual.” Vance expressed gratitude for the Secret Service’s protection and “the grace of God that we’re still here to do the job that we can.”

The incident comes amid heightened concerns about the security of public officials across the political spectrum. In recent years, numerous elected officials and political figures have faced threats and security breaches, prompting increased protective measures for many high-profile individuals.

DeFoor remains in custody at the Hamilton County jail as both the state and federal cases against him proceed.