United States of America v. Richard Tillman

San Jose, California, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with malicious destruction of government property by fire (arson).

Reported by Kent Morlan

Richard Tillman, 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 7, 2025. Tillman pleaded guilty to one count of Malicious Destruction of Government Property by Fire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(1) on February 9, 2026. According to the plea agreement, Tillman admitted to intentionally setting fire to the Almaden Valley United States Post Office located at 6525 Crown Boulevard in San Jose, California, on July 20, 2025.

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 his 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 in the photographs 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.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 60 months BOP custody, 3 years supervised release, $2,371,682.00 in restitution (Court waives interest), $100.00 special assessment