CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) – An Ohio man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home and vehicle faced a judge this week.
William DeFoor, 26, appeared in court Tuesday, where his lawyer, Paul Laufman, told the judge his client’s mental health was a big factor in what happened at the vice president’s house.
“Mental health, obviously, is a driving factor in this case,” Laufman said. “He was doing well, to my understanding. Compliant to all orders of that court until these unfortunate events, which I think it’s safe to say were largely driven by mental health issues.”
William DeFoor, 26, appeared in court Tuesday, where his lawyer said his client’s mental health was a big factor in what happened.(WXIX)
According to Hamilton County court records, the orders referenced by Laufman were the two years of mental health treatment DeFoor was ordered to receive following an arrest last April and subsequent guilty plea for vandalism.
On Tuesday, the judge set DeFoor’s bond at $11,000 on charges that included obstructing official business, criminal trespass and vandalism.
The 26-year-old is also scheduled to appear in federal court on Tuesday for the federal charges that include damaging government property, assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers
According to an arrest report, DeFoor is accused of running up to Vance’s house, located on William Howard Taft Drive, and breaking four windows with a hammer. He also caused damage to the vice president’s vehicle.
DeFoor allegedly refused law enforcement’s commands to stop and used his hammer to break windows across the front of the house and damage security systems.
The estimated damage to the property is nearly $30,000, officials said.
The 26-year-old was later detained by the Secret Service and booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center early Monday.
The DOJ says causing more than $1,000 in damage to federal property is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers carries up to 20 years in prison.
Vance and his family were not in Ohio when the vandalism occurred.
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