Patrick Civitello, a 19-year-old resident of Schenectady, New York, received an 18-month prison sentence for assaulting a teenager in retaliation for the boy's mother's testimony in a federal criminal trial. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the FBI.
Patrick is related to Jeffrey Civitello Sr. and Jeffrey Civitello Jr., both convicted on federal drug trafficking charges following a jury trial in Albany in April 2023. A witness identified as V-1 testified at that trial.
According to his guilty plea, Patrick admitted that on May 19, 2024, he saw V-1 and her son (V-2) at a restaurant in Glenville, New York. While on the phone with his incarcerated brother Jeffrey Jr., Patrick expressed his intent to retaliate against V-1 for her testimony by saying, “I gotta rag this bitch.” Jeffrey Jr. responded with encouragement but advised discretion.
After V-1 and V-2 left the restaurant for their vehicle, Patrick followed them into the parking lot where he removed personal items before attacking V-2. He punched and kicked the boy after knocking him to the ground, resulting in minor injuries.
The FBI arrested Patrick on June 13, 2024. During transport to their Albany office, he questioned agents about whether "the witness deserved it" and commented on betrayal within families.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino described the incident as an “attack on the justice system” which could deter future witnesses from testifying due to fear of retaliation. She imposed a $5,000 fine along with a three-year supervised release term post-imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force with support from Glenville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin Segovia.