In Columbus, Ohio, the individual accused of nighttime vandalism at Vice President Vance’s residence is now in custody, facing both state and federal charges. This arrest follows a series of destructive acts targeting Vance’s home.

William D. DeFoor, 26, found himself in two separate courtrooms on Tuesday. He was apprehended by Secret Service agents early Monday morning at Vance’s home in the upscale East Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati. At the time of the incident, the vice president and his family were not present.

A federal court affidavit reveals that Secret Service agents observed DeFoor running along the property’s front fence near midnight, crossing the line onto the property. Armed with a hammer, he attempted to shatter the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle before advancing toward the house and breaking its glass windows.

The vandalism resulted in the destruction of fourteen historic window panes and significant damage to security measures around the windows, with repair costs estimated at $28,000, as detailed in the affidavit.

A judge set bonds totaling $11,000 on state charges of vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging and obstruction of official business that were brought in Hamilton County court. There, DeFoor was previously deemed incompetent to face trial on a 2023 criminal trespassing charge and referred for treatment after a 2024 vandalism charge. A grand jury hearing was scheduled for Jan. 15.

A hearing in the federal case to determine whether DeFoor can be released on bond from the Hamilton County jail was set for Friday in the federal District Court in Cincinnati.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Ohio’s southern district brought charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.

The first two charges are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

DeFoor’s defense attorney, Paul Laufman, said in county court that his client was not motivated by politics, calling the alleged conduct “purely a mental health issue.”

In a statement read outside the federal courthouse while standing alongside her husband, Catherine DeFoor, the defendant’s mother, said “mental illness is a terrible thing” and that the family’s lives “are full of stress and sadness and grief.” She offered prayers for the Vances and their children.

DeFoor described her child as a straight-A student who was awarded a full scholarship to study music.

Vance said in an interview on Tuesday on “The Scott Jennings Show” that his family had left town a few hours before the attack.

“We have stronger winds than most because I’m a protectee of the Secret Service,” he said.

He said that the person hammered the windows, “but eventually realized they weren’t getting anywhere, ran off, and were captured by the Secret Service as they tried to escape.”

Vance said he would let the investigation play out before commenting on a possible motive of the suspect, but it was “clearly a very sick individual.”

“There are crazy people out there and we’re thankful for the Secret Service and the grace of God that we’re still here to do the job that we can,” he said.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.