COLUMBUS, OHIO — An individual accused of committing a crime has been indicted by a grand jury Ohio home vandalized Vice President J.D. Vance and other causing property damage were charged on federal charges Wednesday.
The three-count indictment charges William DeVore, 26, of Cincinnati, with damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against any person or property in a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting or obstructing federal officers.
Devore faces up to 10 years in prison on each of the first two counts and up to 20 years on the third count.
Defense attorney Paul Loveman, listed as representing DeForor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Loveman has previously said the situation is “purely a mental health issue” and that his client was not motivated by politics.
Separate charges of vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damage and obstruction initially filed against DeForor in state court, most of which are misdemeanors, were dismissed Friday, court records show.
Federal prosecutors allege that the Secret Service saw someone running along the front fence of Vance’s residence in Cincinnati’s upscale East Walnut Hills neighborhood just after midnight on Jan. 5 and then crossed the property line. The person later identified as DeForor was armed with a hammer and attempted to break a window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle on the way into the driveway before moving toward the front of the house and breaking 14 historic window panels, according to a federal affidavit.
Damage to security reinforcements around the windows was estimated at $28,000, according to the filing.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that DeForor He must remain imprisoned Awaiting trial.
On social media and in interviews, Vance thanked the Secret Service and Cincinnati Police for their work on the case. He also refused to speculate on the motive, while describing the suspect as “obviously a very sick person.”