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Patrick Civitello, 19, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in Albany federal court on Tuesday, March 4, after admitting he punched and kicked the teen in a restaurant parking lot in Glenville in May 2024.
The boy’s mother had testified against Civitello’s father, Jeffrey Civitello Sr., and brother, Jeffrey Civitello Jr., in a federal drug case. The father and son were convicted of drug trafficking charges in April 2023 after trafficking more than 5 kilograms–or $600,000 worth–of cocaine from New York City to Schenectady.
Patrick Civitello was on the phone with his incarcerated brother when he saw the witness—identified as V-1—enter the restaurant with her son.He told his brother, “I gotta rag this b**, I gotta call you back,”** signaling his intent to retaliate, prosecutors said.
His brother allegedly encouraged the attack, replying, “Ok, run down, but do it away from everyone if you could.”
When V-1 and her son (V-2) left the restaurant, Civitello followed them outside, removed his watch and bag, and charged at them. He punched the teen in the head, knocked him to the ground, and continued punching and kicking him.
The victim suffered bruises and abrasions but did not require hospitalization.
FBI agents arrested Civitello on June 13, 2024. While being transported to their Albany field office, he showed no remorse, allegedly asking agents, “Don’t you think the witness deserved it?”
“What do you expect when you betray family and people you trust?” he added.
At sentencing, US District Judge Mae D’Agostino called the attack “an assault on the justice system” and said it sent “a chilling message to anyone who might be subpoenaed to trial.”
In addition to his 18-month prison sentence, Civitello was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and will be placed on three years of supervised release after his time behind bars.
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