The man accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance's home in Cincinnati now faces federal charges on top of previously filed local charges.
The Justice Department announced Monday evening that federal prosecutors have charged William D. DeFoor, 26, with damaging government property and engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds — crimes that are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
DeFoor was also charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
NBC News previously reported that DeFoor had been charged in Hamilton County Municipal Court with four counts of vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging and obstructing official business. He will be arraigned on those charges Tuesday, according to the court docket.
DeFoor was taken into custody overnight after Vance’s home was damaged, the Secret Service said.
"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," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement earlier Monday.
The man was detained after midnight, he added.
"The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are reviewed," Guglielmi said.
Vance’s press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, said the Vance family was in Washington, D.C., when the incident occurred.
DeFoor has a documented history of mental health concerns, according to the officials and published local reports.
In the incident Monday, he was armed with a hammer, two Secret Service sources alleged, adding that he broke glass, struck a Secret Service vehicle and vandalized property. The Secret Service had not previously identified the man as a potential risk.
The Vance family left Cincinnati for D.C. just hours before the incident, the sources said.
Vance, who was a U.S. senator from Ohio before he became vice president, thanked responders on X.
“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home,” he said. “As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.”
Cincinnati police did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
The incident comes amid heightened concerns over political violence after multiple high-profile killings last year, including the killings of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman of Minnesota and her husband.
President Donald Trump faced two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, and in recent months, several Indiana Republicans faced "swatting" or threats amid redistricting pressure from Trump.
