Man Who Intentionally Set Fire To San Jose Post Office Pleads Guilty To Arson

SAN JOSE – Richard Tillman, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court today to setting fire to the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office located on Crown Boulevard in San Jose in the early hours of July 20, 2025.

Tillman, who is originally from San Jose, was initially charged by a criminal complaint in July 2025, and indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 7, 2025, on one count of malicious destruction of government property.

In pleading guilty, Tillman admitted that he intentionally set the fire in order to “make a point to the United States government.” In preparation for the fire, Tillman purchased firelogs and lighter fluid. He then drove to the Post Office with firelogs in the vehicle, backed the vehicle through the building’s front door, exited the vehicle, spread lighter fluid throughout the vehicle, threw a lit match into the vehicle, and exited the Post Office. The fire quickly spread from the vehicle to the Post Office, completely destroying its lobby, as depicted below. Prior to July 20, 2025, the lobby of the Post Office was open to the public during business hours for retail transactions and access to post office boxes. The fire rendered the lobby unusable, and it has not been available to the public since then.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge John Wester, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Tillman is currently in federal custody. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila. Tillman faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of malicious destruction of government property by fire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(1). Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the USPIS, ATF, FBI, and the San Jose Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the assistance of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.