Man Arrested for Breaking Windows at Vance’s Home: Secret Service

A 26-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 5 after causing damage to Vice President JD Vance’s property in Ohio, according to the Secret Service.

The adult male was detained by agents early Monday after breaking windows and causing other damage to Vance’s home in Cincinnati, a spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email on Jan. 5.

The Cincinnati Police Department took custody of the man later in the day.

The house was not occupied when the damage occurred, the spokesman said.

The Secret Service coordinated with Cincinnati officials and federal prosecutors on charges to be brought against the man, who was identified as William DeFoor.

DeFoor is facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business, criminal trespass, and criminal damaging/endangering,  as well as one count of vandalism, a fifth-degree felony.

He is also facing several federal charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio cited an affidavit from Secret Service agents who said DeFoor entered the property by the driveway, where he attempted to break the window of an unmarked law enforcement vehicle with a hammer.

He then allegedly ignored commands to drop his weapon and continued to use the hammer to break windows along the front of the property, according to the affidavit.

DeFoor attempted to flee on foot before being detained by Secret Service and Cincinnati police officers, agents said.

His alleged actions caused damages valued at over $28,000, including to “enhanced security assets on each window,” which are owned by the U.S. government, the DOJ office said.

“Causing more than $1,000 in damage to United States property and engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds are each federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison,” it said in a statement. “Assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.”

DeFoor is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 6.

Vance and his family were in Washington when the incident occurred, a spokeswoman for the vice president told The Epoch Times in an email.

“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home,” Vance wrote on X. “As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows.”

Vance said he was grateful to the Secret Service and local police officers for their quick response.

Vance, 41, grew up in Ohio and represented the state in the U.S. Senate before becoming vice president.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.