Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Intentionally Setting Fire To San Jose Post Office

SAN JOSE - Richard Tillman was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for arson. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila handed down the sentence.

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.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Davila also sentenced Tillman to a three-year period of supervised release, and ordered Tillman to pay restitution of $2,371,682 to the United States Postal Service. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody.

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.