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

Richard Tillman, 44, 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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The youngest brother of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman has pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Northern California post office last summer. Richard Tillman, 44, of San Jose, California, admitted to intentionally destroying the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office in San Jose in the early hours of July 20, 2025, by backing his vehicle through the front door, dousing the interior with lighter fluid and fire logs, and setting it ablaze. No one was injured, but the entire post office building has been unavailable to the public since the fire.

Why it matters

The Tillman family has a long and 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 an extension of the family's ongoing frustrations with the government, though the specific "point" he was trying to make remains unclear.

The details

According to federal prosecutors, Richard Tillman backed his vehicle through the front door of the post office, got out, and then set the interior on fire after dousing it with lighter fluid and fire logs. The fire quickly spread, destroying the lobby and rendering the entire post office building unusable.

  • On July 20, 2025, Richard Tillman set fire to the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office in San Jose, California.
  • On February 10, 2026, Richard Tillman pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of malicious destruction of government property.

The players

Richard Tillman

The 44-year-old youngest brother of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Northern California post office.

Pat Tillman

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

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What they’re saying

“I intentionally set the fire to make a point to the United States government.”

— Richard Tillman (The New York Times)

What’s next

Richard Tillman is scheduled to be sentenced on April 27, 2026. He faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and unresolved issues within the Tillman family regarding the circumstances surrounding Pat Tillman's death and the military's handling of the situation. Richard Tillman's actions, while extreme, appear to stem from a deep-seated frustration with the government that has persisted for over 20 years.