UPDATE: Former state representative Victor Cuevas has been arrested by Waterbury Police and charged with second-degree breach of peace in connection with a hate incident that took place on August 22, 2023. The arrest follows a widely circulated video that captured Cuevas confronting local resident Efrain Torres with homophobic remarks.
This incident is a significant development in local politics, raising serious concerns about hate speech and community safety. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo confirmed that the state’s attorney determined the confrontation constituted a hate incident, although it did not meet the threshold for a criminal violation.
Authorities report that Cuevas turned himself in on a warrant Tuesday and was released on $20,000 bail. At the time of his arrest, he was on probation, nearing the completion of his term without prior issues, according to the arrest affidavit.
The incident unfolded as Torres, a former Republican Board of Aldermen candidate, was walking near the Republican Town Committee’s headquarters. Video footage shows Cuevas aggressively questioning Torres, asking, “What did you call me?” followed by expletives and derogatory comments. Torres, who has labeled the encounter a hate crime, responded calmly, saying, “See you later.”
In a statement, Torres expressed a desire to remain silent for now but emphasized the importance of addressing the incident when the time is right. His opponent, Officer Adrian Sanchez, who was off duty during the confrontation, later reported the incident, leading to the warrant for Cuevas’s arrest.
The implications of this incident extend beyond personal grievances. Torres alleges that Cuevas has repeatedly stalked him and damaged his reputation within the local Republican Party. Meanwhile, Cuevas claims that Torres instigated the confrontation, asserting that Torres entered the Republican headquarters brandishing his tax documents and shouting expletives.
Dawn Maiorano, chairwoman of the Waterbury RTC, raised concerns about the integrity of the police investigation. In an email, she described the arrest as part of a troubling pattern of weaponization against political adversaries. “The timing of these parallel actions is, at the very least, troubling,” she stated, questioning why Torres was not also charged.
In response, Chief Spagnolo insisted that the police conducted a thorough investigation, stating, “It was evident that probable cause existed for the charges that were levied against him.” He affirmed that Sanchez is not under investigation and clarified that disciplinary actions were taken against Sanchez for arriving late to work.
Mayor Paul Pernerewski dismissed Maiorano’s claims as “nonsense,” reinforcing that no political bias influenced the arrest. “There is no politics involved,” he asserted. “Both of those gentlemen are engaged in politics but must adhere to the law and city policies.”
As this story develops, the community is left grappling with the implications of hate speech in political discourse. The situation raises critical questions about accountability, transparency, and the role of law enforcement in politically charged environments.
The next steps remain uncertain, but community members and political analysts will be closely monitoring how this incident influences local politics and perceptions of safety in Waterbury. More updates are expected as further details emerge from ongoing investigations.
