Schenectady Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Assault Linked to Federal Trial

A Schenectady man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assaulting a 15-year-old boy in what federal prosecutors described as retaliation for the boy’s mother testifying in a criminal trial.

A Schenectady man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assaulting a 15-year-old boy in what federal prosecutors described as retaliation for the boy’s mother testifying in a criminal trial.

Patrick Civitello, 19, received the sentence in federal court on Tuesday, along with a $5,000 fine and a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, who handed down the sentence, referred to the attack as an “attack on the justice system” that could deter future witnesses from testifying in court.

According to court documents, Civitello pleaded guilty to the May 19, 2024, assault outside a Glenville restaurant. Prosecutors stated that while inside the restaurant, he saw the woman—identified in the indictment as "V-1"—who had testified in a drug trafficking case involving his father and brother. At the time, Civitello was on a phone call with his incarcerated brother, Jeffrey Civitello Jr., and allegedly expressed intent to retaliate against the witness before ending the call.

Shortly after, as the woman and her son—referred to in court as "V-2"—were leaving the restaurant, Civitello followed them outside, removed his watch and bag, and then charged toward them. He then punched the 15-year-old in the head, continuing to hit and kick him after he fell. The teenager sustained minor injuries, including abrasions and bruises.

Civitello was arrested by FBI agents on June 13. During his transport to the FBI’s Albany Field Office, prosecutors said he questioned the agents, asking whether the witness "deserved it" and stating, "What do you expect when you betray family and people you trust?"

The FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force conducted the investigation with assistance from the Glenville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin Segovia.