"Tillman was initially charged by a criminal complaint in July 2025, and indicted by a federal grand jury in August of one count of malicious destruction of government property when he rammed his car into the front of the post office on Crown Boulevard in San Jose, then set fire to it in the early hours of July 20, 2025."
"In preparation for the fire, Tillman had 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, according to prosecutors. The fire quickly spread from the vehicle to the post office, completely destroying its lobby, which has not been available to the public since the fire."
Richard Tillman, 44, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of government property by fire for ramming his car into the Almaden Valley Post Office and setting it ablaze on July 20, 2025. He admitted he intentionally set the fire to "make a point to the United States government." Investigators say he bought firelogs and lighter fluid, drove the vehicle through the front door, spread lighter fluid, threw a lit match into the vehicle, and exited. The lobby was destroyed and remains closed. Tillman faces five to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and is to be sentenced in April.
Read at San Jose Inside
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