Pat Tillman’s Brother Admits to Arson at Post Office
Richard Tillman, the younger brother of the late NFL player Pat Tillman, has pleaded guilty to arson. This admission came during a federal court session on Monday, where he stood accused of setting fire to a post office in Northern California last summer.
Details of the Arson Incident
The 44-year-old San Jose resident was arrested on July 20, after a fire was reported at the Almaden Valley post office. Richard Tillman was charged with malicious destruction of government property.
- Date of Incident: July 20
- Location: Almaden Valley Post Office, Northern California
- Charges: Malicious destruction of government property
Nature of the Crime
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, Richard Tillman intentionally set the fire as a means to “make a point to the United States government.” The specific motivations behind his actions remain unclear.
Reports indicate that Tillman used his vehicle to breach the front door of the post office. After exiting the vehicle, which he had loaded with fire logs and lighter fluid, he set the car ablaze. The fire spread rapidly, destroying the post office lobby. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Legal Consequences
Richard Tillman is currently in federal custody. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 27, where he faces severe penalties including:
- Minimum Sentence: 5 years
- Maximum Sentence: 20 years
- Potential Fine: $250,000
Background on the Tillman Family
Pat Tillman, a former NFL star, is remembered for his dedication to service. After the September 11 attacks, he turned down a lucrative $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army alongside Richard.
Tragically, Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004, at the age of 27 due to friendly fire. Following Richard’s arrest, Kevin Tillman commented on his brother’s struggles with mental health. He revealed that Richard had been experiencing severe issues for many years and that securing appropriate care had been a significant challenge for the family.
In his statement, Kevin expressed relief that no one was injured in the incident, despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Richard’s actions and mental health battles.
