A significant legal escalation has occurred in the case of Richard Tillman, who now faces a federal arson charge for allegedly driving a flaming vehicle into a San Jose post office. This development comes as authorities continue to unravel the motive behind the highly unusual and publicly documented San Jose incident, which included the suspect livestreaming parts of the alleged livestreamed attack and his subsequent police interrogation.
The alleged destructive act unfolded when Tillman reportedly backed a car, filled with ignited “insta-logs” doused in lighter fluid, into the government building. The entire ordeal was partially broadcast live on a popular video platform, capturing not only the chaotic scene but also the ensuing interaction with law enforcement officials. This unprecedented level of real-time documentation has added a unique layer to the ongoing arson investigation.
Tillman, 44, of San Jose, already faces felony arson and vandalism charges at the state level in Santa Clara County Superior Court. The introduction of the federal charges for malicious destruction of government property by fire signifies a more severe legal battle ahead, with the potential for substantially longer prison sentences if convicted under federal statutes. The ongoing legal proceedings are complex due to the parallel nature of the cases.
The federal complaint, unsealed recently, reveals that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California had been preparing its case in parallel with local authorities. The lead investigative agency has been the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, working in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), underscoring the serious nature of the alleged assault on federal government property.
Despite now being in federal custody, Tillman remains physically detained at the Santa Clara County Main Jail. His next federal court appearance is scheduled for early August, where he faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison upon conviction. Separately, a state court hearing is set for mid-August to consider a mental fitness evaluation, which could impact the progression of the local charges, further complicating the legal proceedings.
Further details from the federal complaint, authored by a U.S. Postal Inspector, corroborate and expand upon the initial police and fire reports central to the arson investigation. It details the meticulous, albeit destructive, preparation, including the purchase of flammable materials. Eyewitness accounts and the suspect’s own livestream reportedly captured him spray-painting graffiti on the post office exterior before the intense heat from the fire prevented him from completing the message during the San Jose incident.
Perhaps most strikingly, Tillman allegedly continued to livestream his on-scene interrogation by a San Jose police officer, though this video and his social media page have since been removed. Authorities have noted his reported claims of being the “son of God” with a “mission to bring down the government,” which have been referenced by both local and federal prosecutors in their respective criminal charges, adding a complex psychological dimension to the case of the livestreamed attack.
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