Richard Tillman facing federal charges for San Jose post office fire, vandalism

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday unsealed a complaint against a man accused of burning down a post office in San Jose.

Richard Tillman, 44, allegedly set fire to the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office on Crown Boulevard in San Jose on July 20, prosecutors said.

According to the complaint, Tillman allegedly bought "instalogs" and lighter fluid, which he placed throughout his vehicle. Prosecutors said he then backed his vehicle into the lobby of the post office, got out, and lit his car on fire with a match, partially destroying the office.

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"Tillman then allegedly began spray painting the words "Viva La Me" on the outside of the building after starting the fire," prosecutors said in a statement released by the DOJ, "but did not finish the graffiti because the heat from the fire was too intense."

Police and fire crews in San Jose responded to the blaze and Tillman allegedly told officers that he set the fire to make a statement to the US government and that he had livestreamed it on YouTube.

Tillman made his first court appearance on Wednesday and is scheduled to appear again on Aug. 6. He remains in federal custody.

If convicted of malicious destruction of government property, Tillman could face between 5 and 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.