- A federal judge denied William DeFoor's transfer to a private psychiatric facility due to security concerns after his vandalism at Vice President JD Vance's home.
- DeFoor walked three miles to the Vice President's property, breaking four windows with a hammer early on January 6.
- The suspect, diagnosed with schizophrenia, has a history of mental health issues and recent legal troubles leading up to this incident.
CINCINNATI, OHIO — A federal judge has ruled that the 26-year-old man accused of shattering windows at the Cincinnati residence of Vice President JD Vance will remain in jail, citing security concerns over a proposed transfer to a private psychiatric facility.
William DeFoor was arrested early on Tuesday, January 6, after allegedly walking three miles from his parents' home to the Vice President's East Walnut Hills property around midnight. Authorities state he used a hammer to break four windows. Neither the Vice President nor his family were at the property, having recently relocated to the official vice presidential residence in Washington, D.C.
The Request for Transfer
During a February 18 court hearing, DeFoor’s attorney, Paul Laufman, requested that his client be moved from an unnamed high-security jail to a private psychiatric facility. Laufman argued that DeFoor, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is currently being held in a protective cell 24 hours a day and requires a more stable environment for adequate treatment.
However, U.S. District Judge Douglas Cole formally denied the request on March 11. Judge Cole expressed significant concerns regarding the security protocols at the proposed (and redacted) facility.
“Given the risk of dangerousness that DeFoor presents, the court concludes that this is not a prudent risk to take,” Judge Cole stated in his ruling.
The judge noted that the private facility utilizes standard glass windows that could be easily broken and requires doors to be "buzzed open"—a system that patients have previously bypassed by tailgating staff members. The facility has also recorded multiple escape attempts over the past two years.
Judge Cole left the door open for a future transfer, stating he might reconsider if the defense could locate a more secure, jail-like psychiatric center. Prosecutors maintain that DeFoor is currently receiving his prescribed medications and has access to psychiatric care while incarcerated.
Suspect Details and History
While police reports list the suspect as male under the name William, recent social media activity suggests DeFoor has been using the name "Julia." Booking photos released by authorities show DeFoor with unkempt hair following the January arrest.
DeFoor comes from a prominent local family. His father, Dr. William DeFoor, is a Harvard-educated pediatric urologist and a professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine. The family resides in a $1.3 million home in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
The suspect has a documented history involving law enforcement and mental health interventions:
2018: Graduated from Summit Country Day School and was considered a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
2020: Dropped out of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.
April 2023: Charged with trespassing at UC Health psychiatric services; counts were dismissed after a judge ruled DeFoor mentally incompetent to stand trial.
2024: Sentenced to two years of mandatory mental health treatment following vandalism charges involving a local interior design company. That treatment period was reportedly active at the time of the Vance incident.
DeFoor currently faces charges of vandalism, criminal trespassing, criminal damaging or endangering, and obstructing official business. He will remain at the undisclosed jail facility as his case proceeds.
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