UPDATE: Former state representative Victor Cuevas has been arrested in connection with a reported hate incident that occurred on August 22, 2023, in Waterbury, Connecticut. Cuevas was charged with second-degree breach of peace after allegedly confronting local resident Efrain Torres and making homophobic remarks, a confrontation that was caught on video and widely circulated.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo confirmed on Wednesday that the Waterbury State’s Attorney, Maureen Platt, ruled the encounter to be a hate incident, although it did not meet the threshold for criminal charges. Chief Spagnolo stated, “The determination was made that there was bias in play, but no direct threat or criminal violation occurred.” This incident has sparked significant public attention and debate within the community.
Cuevas turned himself in on a warrant on Tuesday and was released after posting $20,000 bail. He was reportedly on probation at the time of his arrest but had no prior issues during that period. In the viral video, Cuevas can be seen confronting Torres outside the Republican Town Committee headquarters, using expletives and derogatory comments, while Torres merely responds, “See you later.”
Torres, who previously ran for the Board of Aldermen, characterized the incident as a hate crime, saying, “I don’t have a comment at this moment, but everything in its due time.” The confrontation was reported by Waterbury Officer Adrian Sanchez, who was off duty during the incident and has since been elected to the Board of Aldermen.
In a statement, Torres accused Cuevas of damaging his reputation, claiming he has been stalked by Cuevas and other members of the city’s Republican Party, including Dawn Maiorano, the Waterbury RTC Chairwoman. Maiorano raised concerns about the timing of Cuevas’s arrest, linking it to an ongoing investigation involving Sanchez, questioning the motives behind the police action.
“It raises serious questions about the weaponization of the Waterbury Police Department against individuals who do not align with the administration’s politics,” Maiorano stated in an email. She demanded transparency regarding whether Torres received similar treatment.
Responding to these accusations, Chief Spagnolo defended the integrity of the police investigation, asserting that probable cause for the charges was established through a thorough review process involving the state’s attorney and a Superior Court judge. “There was no weaponization or lack of transparency in this matter,” he added.
Mayor Paul Pernerewski dismissed Maiorano’s comments as “nonsense,” emphasizing that political affiliations do not exempt individuals from adhering to the law. He stated, “Both of those gentlemen are engaged in politics, but that does not absolve them from following the law and the policies of the city of Waterbury.”
This incident continues to unfold, raising questions about public safety, political tensions, and the implications of hate incidents in the community. As the situation develops, the Waterbury community is urged to remain vigilant and informed.
