A 26-year-old Middletown man has admitted to setting fire to a state trooper's father's home.

Police say Tyler William’s motive was a traffic ticket issued in Middletown by the unnamed trooper on Dec. 20, 2023. William committed the arson the following morning, according to prosecutors and was charged following a nearly five-month investigation.

“Every day in America, police officers write countless traffic tickets, and it does not result in those drivers setting fire to those officers’ homes in retribution,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The admitted conduct in this case stands as amongst the most egregious I have ever seen exhibited towards a police officer in my career. Law enforcement represents the backbone of the safety of our community, and they must be protected for doing the dangerous work that they do every day.”

Prosecutors say Williams admitted to intentionally starting the fire at the house. No one was injured.

He faces up to 20 years in prison.