February 10, 2026 – SAN JOSE, CA – Richard Tillman, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday 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 August 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…