by Jason Hopkins
Law enforcement officials arrested a man outside Vice President J.D. Vance’s Cincinnati home early Monday morning.
The U.S. Secret Service and Cincinnati police responded to the vice president’s home after a man allegedly caused damage to his property, the federal agency confirmed. The incident occurred at Vance’s East Walnut Hills House, to which the Secret Service was called shortly after midnight after someone was reportedly seen “running eastbound,” according to FOX19 NOW.
The suspect, now identified as William DeFoor, 26, of Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood (adjacent to East Walnut Hills), allegedly broke several of Vance’s windows before being detained by federal law enforcement.
“An adult male was taken into custody by the Cincinnati Police Department after being detained by U.S. Secret Service personnel for causing property damage, including breaking windows on the exterior of a personal residence associated with the Vice President,” the Secret Service told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“Shortly after midnight on Monday, January 5, the man was physically detained by Secret Service agents assigned to the Vice President’s home. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the incident, and the Vice President and his family were not in Ohio,” the agency said. “The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are reviewed.”
Authorities say DeFoor faces charges including one count of vandalism (a fifth-degree felony), as well as misdemeanors for criminal damaging/endangering, obstructing official business, and criminal trespass. He allegedly trespassed onto the property, damaged four windows on the residence using what reports indicate was a hammer or similar tool, and also vandalized a vehicle — possibly a Secret Service vehicle in the driveway. Security footage and a Secret Service agent observed him on the premises.
When advised of his rights, DeFoor reportedly responded, “I don’t know.” He has a prior criminal history, including a guilty plea in April to two counts of vandalism for causing over $2,000 in damage to a Hyde Park business. Police are reportedly recommending a high bond due to this record, and he is scheduled for arraignment in Hamilton County Municipal Court on Tuesday.
The incident took place at Vance’s historic 157-year-old white two-story home on William Howard Taft Drive in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood, an upscale, historic area east of downtown Cincinnati known for its blend of urban proximity and natural surroundings. In prior interviews, Vance described the home as “the perfect combo of proximity to the city and to nature” in prior interviews.
The attack comes amid broader concerns about politically motivated incidents targeting public figures. Ohio authorities emphasized that threats to officials are treated seriously regardless of suspected affiliation, and no ongoing public safety threat has been identified.
DEVELOPING…
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Jason Hopkins is a reoporter at Daily Caller News Foundation. Tennessee Star Executive Editor Christina Botteri contributed the this report.
Photo “William Defoor” by Hamilton County Justice Center and “JD Vance” is by Gage Skidmore CC2.0.
He wants to be transgender, fine, put him in a prison cell with Bubba and see how that works out.
“When advised of his rights, DeFoor reportedly responded, “I don’t know.””
There goes the future Demonrat Governor of Ohio.