A suspect in the vandalism of JD Vance’s Ohio home must stay in jail until trial

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that a suspect in the vandalism of Vice President JD Vance’s home in Ohio must remain behind bars while awaiting trial.

The decision by Chief Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman means that William D. DeFoor, 26, of Cincinnati, will remain in the Hamilton County jail for now. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Jan. 20 in the federal district court in Cincinnati.

DeFoor faces federal charges of damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area and assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.

The first two charges are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Shortly after midnight on Jan. 5, Secret Service officers assigned to Vance's home in Cincinnati's upscale East Walnut Hills neighborhood saw someone run along the front fence and breach the property line.

The person later identified as DeFoor was armed with a hammer and tried to break out the window of an unmarked Secret Service vehicle on the way up to the driveway before breaking windows in the front of the home and damaging a security system.

The Vances were not home at the time.

DeFoor’s defense attorney, Paul Laufman, has said this is “purely a mental health issue” and not motivated by politics.

This undated booking photo provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in January 2025 shows William D. DeFoor, who was charged on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in a case involving vandalism to the Cincinnati, Ohio, home of Vice President JD Vance. (Hamilton County Sheriff's Office via AP)

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica’s national security chief on Tuesday revealed details of an alleged plot to assassinate President Rodrigo Chaves ahead of presidential and legislative elections.

Jorge Torres, director of the Intelligence and National Security Directorate, told journalists about the plot allegations as he prepared to file a formal complaint at the public prosecutor's office.

“What we received is confidential information that I would like to put on record in the complaint. I don’t want to go into detail, but I would simply like to tell you that it concerns the life of the president of the Republic,” Torres told local media.

Torres said a call was received from a woman who reported a supposed plot against Chaves, adding a payment had been made to a hitman. Torres also reported that security was being reinforced for the conservative populist leader, who has sought to present himself as a politician who is tough-on-crime.

Torres spoke as El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has gained fame for his controversial security crackdown, was scheduled to visit the country.

On Wednesday, Chaves is scheduled to lay the cornerstone of a new “ mega-prison ” that Costa Rica plans to build, modeled on a facility built by Bukele.

Costa Rica will hold presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 1. While Chaves is ineligible to run for reelection, the ruling party’s Laura Fernández is among the presidential candidates.

FILE - Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves speaks during a news conference regarding the seizure of four tons of drugs, at an air base in San Jose, Costa Rica, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Diaz, File)