Richard Tillman Pleads Guilty to Post Office Arson

Richard Tillman, the brother of late NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to using his vehicle to set fire to a San Jose post office last summer, an act authorities described as intentional destruction of government property.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on July 20 at the Almaden Valley post office on Crown Boulevard in South San Jose. Tillman, 44, a local resident, backed his car through the front doors, having loaded the vehicle with fire logs doused in lighter fluid. He ignited the materials after exiting, causing the fire to spread rapidly and completely destroy the lobby. The damage was estimated at $2.67 million, according to court proceedings. No injuries were reported, and Tillman was arrested at the scene by San Jose police shortly after livestreaming the event on YouTube.

Tillman entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Edward Davila in a San Jose courtroom, where he appeared in a green jumpsuit from the Elmwood jail in Milpitas. He faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, along with a possible fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 27. In court, Tillman confirmed his...