New Haven Police Arrest Suspect in Decade-Old Sexual Assault Case

DNA evidence from a separate investigation led to the arrest of Moses Watkis, 37, for a 2013 sexual assault in New Haven.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New Haven police have announced the arrest of Moses Watkis, 37, in connection with a sexual assault investigation from 2013. The case was reopened in 2025 after a DNA match linked Watkis to evidence collected at the time. The DNA evidence came from a separate sexual assault investigation in Waterbury involving Watkis in 2021.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of maintaining DNA evidence and databases to help solve long-dormant sexual assault cases. It also demonstrates the commitment of the New Haven Police Department to pursue justice for victims, even years after a crime has occurred.

The details

Police said the 2013 case was reopened in 2025 after the department received notification of a DNA hit linking evidence collected at the time to Watkis. The match stemmed from a separate sexual assault investigation involving Watkis in Waterbury in 2021. Watkis was arrested on January 30th and is scheduled to appear in court on February 18th, facing aggravated assault charges in the 1st degree.

  • The sexual assault occurred in 2013 in New Haven.
  • The case was reopened in 2025 after a DNA match was found.
  • Watkis was arrested on January 30, 2026.
  • Watkis is scheduled to appear in court on February 18, 2026.

The players

Moses Watkis

A 37-year-old man arrested in connection with a 2013 sexual assault in New Haven.

New Haven Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the 2013 sexual assault case and made the arrest of Watkis.

Connecticut State Laboratory

The lab that analyzed the DNA evidence and confirmed the match between the 2013 case and Watkis.

Justin Elicker

The mayor of New Haven who encouraged residents to report sexual assaults and stated the city takes such crimes very seriously.

David Zannelli

The acting police chief of the New Haven Police Department who said the arrest demonstrates the department's commitment to victims, even in long-dormant cases.

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What they’re saying

“Once that information is collected and entered into that national database, if there is a sexual assault kit with unknown DNA that can be linked, we call each other up. We're only a phone call away.”

— Sgt. Cherelle Carr, Special Victims Unit, New Haven Police Department (nbcconnecticut.com)

“If something happens, even though it might take some time, we don't forget our victims, and we're here to hold people accountable.”

— David Zannelli, Acting Police Chief, New Haven Police Department (nbcconnecticut.com)

“It's a complete violation of somebody's bodily autonomy. It's something we take very, very seriously, and we will hunt people down that engage in this type of activity.”

— Justin Elicker, Mayor of New Haven (nbcconnecticut.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on February 18th whether or not to allow Moses Watkis out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining DNA evidence and databases to help solve long-dormant sexual assault cases. It also demonstrates the commitment of the New Haven Police Department to pursue justice for victims, even years after a crime has occurred.