Hector Morales, Arson Cover-up, Connecticut 2013

A senseless tragedy struck Fair Haven, Connecticut, on March 9, 2011, when a two-family house at 48-50 Wolcott Street went up in flames, claiming the lives of three residents: 41-year-old Wanda Roberson, her 8-year-old son Quayshaun Roberson, and her 21-year-old niece Jaqueeta Roberson.

Hector Morales, 51, of New Haven, was sentenced to 174 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Morales was convicted of being an accessory after the fact to the arson, conspiring to distribute narcotics, and obstructing justice in an attempt to undermine law enforcement’s efforts to investigate the fatal arson.

According to the evidence presented during trial, Morales’s son, Hector Natal, was a New Haven drug dealer who sold cocaine, crack cocaine, pills, and marijuana. Morales served as Natal’s driver, facilitating his sales of narcotics and collection of drug proceeds.

On the morning of March 9, 2011, Natal set fire to the Wolcott Street house in retaliation for a customer’s failure to pay a small drug debt. Morales drove Natal away from the scene in his blue van, then painted the van black in an effort to obstruct the investigation. Morales and Natal then schemed with other family members to testify falsely before the grand jury in an effort to prevent the grand jury from developing evidence regarding their complicity in the arson.

The evidence at trial also showed that, months before the fatal fire, Natal attempted to set a fire in the same Wolcott Street house.

Morales has been detained since his arrest on July 19, 2012. His son, Hector Natal, 29, has been detained since his arrest on June 14, 2011, and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 10.

U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly stated, "This crime was a senseless tragedy in which three innocents were killed by a brutal and reckless drug dealer. This lengthy sentence is appropriate as Hector Morales literally drove his son’s criminality and made every effort to avoid the detection of law enforcement."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia M. Ferrick added, "Today’s sentencing is a step toward closure and healing for the Fair Haven community and the Roberson family. It also demonstrates that disrespect of our judicial system will not be tolerated."

The matter was investigated by the New Haven Fire and Police Departments, the FBI, and the Connecticut State Police.

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