In a startling security breach, a 26-year-old man from a wealthy Cincinnati family was arrested for attempting to break into the Ohio residence of Vice President JD Vance. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 5th January 2026, has led to serious federal charges against the intruder identified as William DeFoor.
The Midnight Intrusion and Arrest
According to a statement from the US Secret Service, the episode unfolded around midnight near Vance's home in eastern Cincinnati. Agents on duty spotted a man, later identified as William DeFoor, running along the front fence of the property. Armed with a hammer, DeFoor breached the property line and proceeded to shatter four windows at the Vice President's home.
In his path, he also vandalized an unmarked Secret Service vehicle parked in the driveway. Following the intrusion, DeFoor attempted to flee on foot but was swiftly apprehended by Secret Service agents. Fortunately, neither Vice President Vance nor his family were present at the Ohio home at the time. They were residing at the Vice President's official residence in Washington, D.C., following the inauguration.
Federal Charges and Significant Damage
The United States Attorney's office for Ohio's southern district has levied multiple federal charges against William DeFoor. The charges are severe and include:
- Engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area.
- Damaging government property.
- Assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers.
The affidavit filed on Monday estimates the cost of the damage caused by DeFoor to be approximately $28,000. This includes the broken windows and the damage to the government vehicle.
Profile of the Accused: A Son of Privilege
William DeFoor's background adds a layer of complexity to the case. He is reported to be the son of a prominent and successful paediatric urologist in Cincinnati, who is a professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine. The family, described as Democratic supporters, lives in a $1.3 million house in the affluent Hyde Park neighborhood.
DeFoor's educational journey includes graduating from the Summit Country Day School in 2018, where he was recognized as a US Presidential Scholars Program candidate. He later attended the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music for two years before apparently dropping out in 2020. His Facebook profile suggests he enrolled at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2025.
There has been some public confusion regarding DeFoor's identity. While law enforcement documents list his name as William and gender as male, he was referred to as "Julia" in recent weeks prior to the incident. It remains unclear whether William DeFoor identifies as transgender or nonbinary.
Family's Political Leanings and Aftermath
Reports indicate that DeFoor's father is an ardent Democratic advocate. Federal Election Commission records show he donated over $5,000 to the campaigns of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020 and 2024. His social media also revealed support for a federal assault weapons ban following the Uvalde school shooting.
The arrest has heightened security concerns around the residences of high-profile political figures. The Secret Service has confirmed the incident is under investigation, with spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi stating the suspect was detained without major incident. As the legal process begins, William DeFoor faces the full weight of federal law for his alleged actions at the home of the United States Vice President.
