A 26-year-old man is in custody following an incident at the Cincinnati home of Vice President JD Vance, an event that has raised serious questions about the suspect’s mental state. The individual, identified as William DeFoor, allegedly damaged property at Vance’s personal residence early Monday morning, prompting a swift response from the Secret Service and Cincinnati Police.
Immediately following his arrest, DeFoor made a startling request of law enforcement officials: he insisted on being addressed as “Julia.” This demand, relayed by federal sources, adds a layer of complexity to the case and shines a light on a history of documented mental health concerns.
DeFoor’s record in Hamilton County reveals a pattern of legal troubles consistently intertwined with evaluations of his competency. In April 2023, he was charged with trespassing at the University of Cincinnati Health Psychiatric Emergency Services, refusing to leave the facility, but the charges were ultimately dropped when he was deemed unfit to stand trial.
The incidents didn’t stop there. Just months later, in 2024, DeFoor faced two counts of vandalism after allegedly breaking windows at a Hyde Park business. That case was diverted to a mental health docket, and treatment was ordered instead of a traditional conviction.
The court system’s growing concern culminated in October 2024, when Hamilton County Court granted DeFoor’s mother legal guardianship, officially recognizing his incompetence due to mental illness. This legal step underscores the severity and long-standing nature of his struggles.
The latest incident involved broken windows at Vice President Vance’s home, with the Secret Service confirming property damage. Fortunately, no one was inside the residence at the time, and Vance and his family were already in Washington D.C.
Vice President Vance publicly addressed the event, describing it as an attempted break-in by an individual he characterized as “crazy.” He expressed gratitude for the rapid response of the Secret Service and Cincinnati Police, emphasizing the family’s relief at not being present during the incident.
The case now moves forward, but the focus extends beyond the act of vandalism itself. The suspect’s history and his insistence on being identified as “Julia” are prompting a deeper examination of the mental health resources available and the challenges of navigating the legal system when mental competency is in question.
