Pat Tillman's Brother Pleads Guilty to Setting Post Office Fire

Richard Tillman admitted to intentionally burning down a California post office to "make a point to the United States government."

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Richard Tillman, the youngest brother of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, pleaded guilty to setting fire to a post office in San Jose, California last summer. Prosecutors said Tillman backed his vehicle through the front door of the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office, got out, and set the building ablaze using fire logs and lighter fluid. The fire destroyed the lobby and post office boxes, leaving the building unusable since the incident.

Why it matters

The Tillman family has a complicated history with the U.S. government, stemming from the military's handling of Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan in 2004. Richard Tillman's actions appear to be motivated by longstanding emotional suffering and distrust of the government, raising questions about how the Tillman family has been impacted by their experiences.

The details

Richard Tillman, 44, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to one count of malicious destruction of government property for the July 2025 arson attack. No one was injured, but the fire quickly spread and destroyed the post office lobby. Tillman faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine, at his sentencing in April.

  • On July 20, 2025, Tillman set fire to the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office in San Jose.
  • Tillman is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27, 2026.

The players

Richard Tillman

The youngest brother of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a California post office.

Pat Tillman

The former NFL player who left his football career to join the U.S. Army, and was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 27, 2026 whether to allow Richard Tillman out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the lasting impact the military's handling of Pat Tillman's death has had on his family, with Richard Tillman's actions appearing to stem from deep-seated emotional trauma and distrust of the government.