New York Man Accused of Setting House Fire in Retaliation Against Trooper Who Issued Him Traffic Tickets

A New York man recently was arrested for allegedly setting fire to the home of the father of the New York State Trooper who pulled him over and issued traffic tickets, authorities said.

Tyler Williams, 26, was arrested and charged with arson in the second degree, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced.

According to the DA's office, Williams was pulled over by a state trooper in Middletown on the evening of Dec. 20, 2023, and was issued traffic tickets.

Early the next morning, there was a fire at the home of the trooper's father in Warwick.

The Town of Warwick Police Department, the New York State Police Major Crimes Unit, the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office investigated the fire for nearly five months, executing more than 20 search warrants "largely focused on digital forensics."

Investigators found that in the hours after being issued the traffic tickets, Williams "utilized various search websites in an effort to learn the address of the Trooper."

“Law enforcement officers, who are the backbone of the safety of our community, must be protected for doing the dangerous work that they do,” Hoovler said in a statement. “Our community will not permit such horrifying conduct as is alleged in this case to go unchecked."

Williams was remanded to Orange County Jail without bail and his next hearing is scheduled for today.

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“Today’s arrest of Tyler Williams should send a clear message that law enforcement will stop at nothing to hold dangerous criminals who endanger the lives of others accountable for their actions. We will not tolerate this type of reprehensible behavior in which a member of law enforcement was targeted for simply carrying out his duty," said New York State Police Troop F Commander Major Michael W. Sumnick.

TMX contributed to this report.