UPDATE: Former state representative Victor Cuevas was arrested and charged with second-degree breach of peace by Waterbury Police following a hate incident that occurred on August 22, 2023. This alarming development comes as the incident, which involved confrontational and homophobic remarks directed at local man Efrain Torres, gained widespread attention after being captured on video.
Authorities confirmed that the encounter, deemed a hate incident, was investigated by Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt. Although it didn’t meet the threshold for a criminal violation, the implications of the incident are serious and resonate deeply within the community. Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo stated on Wednesday that the investigation found “bias was in play” during the incident, underscoring the hostile climate that can arise from such behavior.
Cuevas turned himself in on a warrant on Tuesday and was released later that day after posting $20,000 bail. Notably, he was on probation at the time of his arrest, as detailed in his arrest affidavit, which indicated he was nearing the end of his probation term with no prior issues. The video footage, circulated widely, shows Torres walking downtown when Cuevas confronted him with derogatory comments, escalating tensions without provocation.
Torres, a former Republican Board of Aldermen candidate, has labeled the incident as a hate crime and expressed his intention to address the matter further in due time. He stated, “I don’t have a comment at this moment, but everything in its due time.” The police report was made by Officer Adrian Sanchez, who was off duty during the incident and later won election to the Board of Aldermen.
Reactions to Cuevas’s arrest have been mixed. Torres claims that Cuevas has repeatedly tried to smear his name, alleging a pattern of stalking. In stark contrast, Cuevas insists that Torres instigated the confrontation, claiming he merely responded after Torres entered the Republican headquarters to confront him over tax payments.
Waterbury RTC Chairwoman Dawn Maiorano raised concerns about the motivations behind the police actions, suggesting that the Waterbury Police Department may be weaponized against individuals who oppose the current administration. She criticized the timing of the arrest warrant, questioning if Torres would face similar charges for his alleged involvement.
In response, Chief Spagnolo defended the integrity of the investigation, emphasizing that it followed appropriate legal procedures and that the warrant was issued based on substantial evidence. He refuted claims of any politicization, stating, “We consulted with the state’s attorney’s office… it was evident that probable cause existed for the charges.”
Spagnolo also clarified that Sanchez is not under investigation for his tardiness during the Board of Aldermen meeting, noting he showed up three hours late and faced disciplinary action for violating departmental policies.
The situation continues to develop as community members and officials monitor the implications of this incident. Mayor Paul Pernerewski dismissed Maiorano’s claims as “nonsense,” reinforcing that political affiliations do not exempt individuals from legal accountability.
As this story unfolds, the local community remains on edge, grappling with the fallout from this contentious incident that highlights ongoing tensions surrounding hate speech and political conduct in Waterbury. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
