Man Accused Of Arson At Home Of NYS Trooper's Dad After Ticket: DA

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — A Middletown man is accused of starting a fire at the home of a New York State trooper's father shortly after the trooper pulled him over and issued him traffic tickets.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced Wednesday that Tyler Williams, 26, was arrested and charged with Arson in the Second Degree.

Prosecutors alleged that, in the evening of Dec. 20, Williams was pulled over in Middletown by a New York State trooper and issued traffic tickets. Early the next morning, a fire was started at the home of the Trooper’s father in Warwick.

At the scene of the fire, the Town of Warwick Police Department was assisted by the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit as well as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

During an investigation that spanned almost five months, a team of investigators and prosecutors comprised of members of the Warwick Police Department, the New York State Police Major Crimes Unit, the Town of Goshen Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office was ultimately joined by the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The investigation revealed that in the hours after being issued the traffic tickets, Williams used various search websites in an effort to learn the address of the trooper, prosecutors alleged.

After the execution of more than 20 judicially-authorized search warrants, largely focused on digital forensics, as well as numerous subpoenas, Williams was arrested.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the joint efforts of the Town of Warwick Police Department, the New York State Police, the Town of Goshen Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the members of the District Attorney’s Office which resulted in the defendant’s arrest.

“Law enforcement officers, who are the backbone of the safety of our community, must be protected for doing the dangerous work that they do,” said Hoovler. “Our community will not permit such horrifying conduct as is alleged in this case to go unchecked. My Office will dedicate every resource available to ensuring that this defendant is held to account for his alleged crimes. We stand in lockstep with our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of police officers. I commend the dedicated and tireless work done by all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this intensive investigation. This case represents every police officer’s worst nightmare and we will not rest until justice is done.”

Williams was arraigned and sent to Orange County Jail without bail and is next scheduled for a conference on May 21. Hoovler is prosecuting the case him self with Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran and Assistant District Attorney Amanda M. Bettinelli.

"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. "I commend the outstanding efforts and teamwork displayed by our Troop F BCI members, and our law enforcement partners for bringing Tyler Williams to justice."

“The Town of Warwick Police Department would like to extend our gratitude to all of the agencies who assisted us in this investigation,” said Warwick Police Chief John Rader. “The professionalism and seamless cooperation is ultimately what brought this to an arrest. This investigation truly highlights the dedication and tenacity of law enforcement to protect our residents and ensure that the victims of crimes will see that justice is served.”

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.