DOJ: Schenectady man pleads guilty to witness retaliation

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that Patrick Civitello, 18, of Schenectady, has pleaded guilty to a witness retaliation incident. On Monday, Civitello admitted to assaulting the son of a witness who testified at the drug trafficking trial of Civitello’s father and older brother.

In his guilty plea, Civitello admitted that on May 19, while at a restaurant in Glenville, he assaulted the witness' child with the intent to retaliate against the witness for her trial testimony. The U.S. Attorney's Office said at the time of the incident, Civitello was on the phone with his incarcerated brother, who told him to do it where there were no people around.

He then followed the two outside to their vehicle and punched and kicked the child to the ground. The child suffered bruises and cuts to his head, neck and hand. Civitello was arrested on June 13 and was indicted on charges later that month.

Civitello is scheduled for sentencing on February 28, 2025. He faces up to life in prison and up to five years of post-release supervision.