An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to vandalising Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home in January, admitting to damaging property at the protected residence with a hammer.William DeFoor, 26, pleaded guilty to two federal charges on Tuesday — engaging in physical violence against government officials or property and causing willful injury or depredation to US property.According to the New York Post (NYP), DeFoor is the son of a prominent Ohio millionaire family and has reportedly used the name “Julia” on social media.Federal prosecutors said Secret Service agents spotted DeFoor running along the fence of Vance’s protected residence shortly after midnight on January 5.Court documents allege he used a hammer to strike the window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle before smashing large historic windows at the home.Prosecutors estimated the damage at approximately USD 28,000. DeFoor had remained in custody since his arrest and was later indicted by a federal grand jury.“Acts of violence directed against our political leaders, their families, or property, have no place in our society and will not be tolerated,” US Attorney Dominick S Gerace II said.DeFoor faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. He has also been ordered to pay approximately USD 28,000 in restitution and barred from coming within 350 yards of any residence of Vance or his family, whether occupied or not.As part of the plea agreement, the remaining charges against DeFoor were dismissed. He also waived his right to a jury trial and to appeal his sentence. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
