Ohio man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s home appears in court
CINCINNATI (NBC, KYMA) - An Ohio man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance's Cincinnati home and a vehicle faced a judge Tuesday.
26-year-old William DeFoor was arrested and booked into the Hamilton County Jail Monday hours after being accused of vandalizing Vice President Vance's Cincinnati home.
Investigators say DeFoor used a hammer to smash 14 glass panels and damaged a Secret Service vehicle.
DeFoor appeared in court Tuesday where he was arraigned on state charges, which includes vandalism and criminal damaging.
"I just don't think there's anything political going on here judge. This is purely a mental health issue," said Paul Laufman, Defoor's attorney.
When asked why Vance's house, Laufman said, "No idea. Could've easily been the blow up display at a car lot. I don't know. I mean there's significant mental health issues" while saying he has no idea if his client knew it was Vance's house.
DeFoor's mother, Catherine, also spoke after federal court.
"Mental illness is a terrible thing. It is a struggle which can take over the life of a beautiful person. And the people who love and support them," said Catherine, who described her son as a scholar, a straight A student in school who received a full scholarship to study music. "He loves reading. He loves writing poetry. When healthy, he is full of joy and laughter. He is compassionate for all those who suffer."
She ended her statement with a prayer saying, "Please be with the Vance family. I am only beginning to learn what it feels like to try and raise a family in the public eye, and they are putting themselves there to support our democracy."
DeFoor's bond has been set for $11,000 on charges including obstructing official business, criminal trespassing and vandalism.
If he does make bail, he will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device.
DeFoor is also facing more serious federal charges, including damaging government property and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.
An initial court date for those charges has not yet been set.
DeFoor has a history of encounters with law enforcement in the city, and had at least one previous trespassing case dropped after he was found not competent to stand trial.
