Intruder Inflicts $28K Damage at Vice President Vance’s Ohio Residence

A man who vandalized Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio residence was apprehended early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

William D. DeFoor, 26, faces serious federal charges, including damaging government property, committing physical violence against property in a restricted area, and assaulting federal officers. These charges were confirmed by the United States Attorney’s office in Ohio’s southern district.

DeFoor was taken into custody shortly after midnight by Secret Service agents stationed at Vance’s home, located east of downtown Cincinnati. Agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi reported that the vice president and his family were not present at the time, having returned to Washington the previous day after a weekend visit.

According to an affidavit filed on Monday, the Secret Service observed DeFoor running along the front fence of Vance’s property, breaching the property line around midnight. Armed with a hammer, he vandalized an unmarked Secret Service vehicle before proceeding to the home’s driveway, where he shattered several glass windows.

DeFoor attempted to flee on foot but was quickly detained by officers. The damage he caused is estimated to be around $28,000, as detailed in the affidavit.

Public records indicate that DeFoor resides in Cincinnati. Attempts to reach potential relatives and an attorney who previously represented him were unsuccessful.

In a post on the social media platform X, Vance expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for their swift response to the incident. He tweeted, “I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows.”

Court records reveal that DeFoor had faced a prior vandalism charge in 2024 and had agreed to treatment under the county’s Mental Health Court system.

The Secret Service is currently collaborating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. attorney’s office to review the charging decisions, as stated by Guglielmi.

Vance’s residence is situated in one of Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhoods, perched on hills that overlook the city. Throughout Vance’s vice presidency, the area has seen frequent protests, with demonstrators clashing with Vance himself last spring.

Before becoming vice president, Vance served as a U.S. senator representing Ohio. He relocated to Cincinnati after a period in Silicon Valley following law school. Notably, his half-brother ran unsuccessfully for mayor of the city last year. Vance was raised in nearby Middletown, a location that played a significant role in his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”

___

This story has been updated to clarify that the suspect’s residency is in Cincinnati, not Kentucky.

___

Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo, Sarah Brumfield, and Julie Carr Smyth contributed to this report.

Photo: In this image taken from WCPO 9 News video, officials inspect broken windows and other property damage at Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio home in eastern Cincinnati, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (WCPO 9 News via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Ohio

A man who vandalized Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio residence was apprehended early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

William D. DeFoor, 26, faces serious federal charges, including damaging government property, committing physical violence against property in a restricted area, and assaulting federal officers. These charges were confirmed by the United States Attorney’s office in Ohio’s southern district.

DeFoor was taken into custody shortly after midnight by Secret Service agents stationed at Vance’s home, located east of downtown Cincinnati. Agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi reported that the vice president and his family were not present at the time, having returned to Washington the previous day after a weekend visit.

According to an affidavit filed on Monday, the Secret Service observed DeFoor running along the front fence of Vance’s property, breaching the property line around midnight. Armed with a hammer, he vandalized an unmarked Secret Service vehicle before proceeding to the home’s driveway, where he shattered several glass windows.

DeFoor attempted to flee on foot but was quickly detained by officers. The damage he caused is estimated to be around $28,000, as detailed in the affidavit.

Public records indicate that DeFoor resides in Cincinnati. Attempts to reach potential relatives and an attorney who previously represented him were unsuccessful.

In a post on the social media platform X, Vance expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for their swift response to the incident. He tweeted, “I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows.”

Court records reveal that DeFoor had faced a prior vandalism charge in 2024 and had agreed to treatment under the county’s Mental Health Court system.

The Secret Service is currently collaborating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. attorney’s office to review the charging decisions, as stated by Guglielmi.

Vance’s residence is situated in one of Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhoods, perched on hills that overlook the city. Throughout Vance’s vice presidency, the area has seen frequent protests, with demonstrators clashing with Vance himself last spring.

Before becoming vice president, Vance served as a U.S. senator representing Ohio. He relocated to Cincinnati after a period in Silicon Valley following law school. Notably, his half-brother ran unsuccessfully for mayor of the city last year. Vance was raised in nearby Middletown, a location that played a significant role in his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”

___

This story has been updated to clarify that the suspect’s residency is in Cincinnati, not Kentucky.

___

Associated Press writers Mike Balsamo, Sarah Brumfield, and Julie Carr Smyth contributed to this report.

Photo: In this image taken from WCPO 9 News video, officials inspect broken windows and other property damage at Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio home in eastern Cincinnati, Ohio, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (WCPO 9 News via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Ohio