A federal criminal complaint was unsealed in San Jose charging Richard Tillman with malicious destruction by fire of a U.S. post office. Tillman, 44, appeared in federal district court following allegations that he set fire to the Almaden Valley United States Post Office on Crown Boulevard during the early hours of July 20, 2025.
According to the complaint, Tillman allegedly purchased “instalogs” and lighter fluid before driving to the post office. He is accused of placing the instalogs throughout his vehicle, pouring lighter fluid over them, backing his vehicle into the lobby of the post office, exiting, and then lighting the vehicle on fire with a match.
The complaint further states that after starting the fire, Tillman began spray painting “Viva La Me” on the outside of the building but stopped due to intense heat from the flames. The fire partially destroyed the post office.
Emergency responders from both the San Jose Fire Department and San Jose Police Department arrived at the scene. Law enforcement reports indicate that Tillman told officers he set the fire as a statement to the U.S. government and livestreamed it on YouTube using his phone.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian announced the charges along with Stephen M. Sherwood, Inspector in Charge for USPIS San Francisco Division; Robert Topper, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ATF; and Sanjay Virmani, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
Tillman remains in federal custody and is scheduled for a status conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins on August 6, 2025.
“A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant 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 following conviction would 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,” according to officials.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting this case with support from Sahib Kaur. The investigation involved USPIS, ATF, FBI, and San Jose Police Department; assistance was also provided by Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
