Overview
- A federal grand jury charged William D. DeFoor, 26, with physical violence in restricted grounds, depredation of U.S. property, and assaulting or impeding federal officers.
- Prosecutors told the court he targeted the vice president, citing a planned walk from his parents’ home and journal writings presented as evidence.
- Defense counsel argued the case stems from severe mental illness and sought release to a psychiatric hospital, which the judge denied while ordering treatment in jail.
- According to the Secret Service, the suspect breached the fence at the Cincinnati residence with a hammer, damaged an unmarked security vehicle, and smashed multiple windows; the Vance family was not home.
- State charges filed earlier were dismissed as the federal case moved forward, with potential penalties reaching up to 20 years on the most serious count.