Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty To Witness Intimidation

Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 12:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ALBANY, NY.- According to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, on Monday, October 28, 2024, Patrick Civitello, 18, of Schenectady, New York, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York and pleaded guilty to one count of Witness Retaliation.

     During his allocution on Monday, Civitello admitted in court that he assaulted a 15-year-old boy in retaliation for the boy’s mother’s testimony in last year’s federal criminal trial.

     According to documents filed with the court, Patrick Cititello is the son of Jeffrey Cititello, Sr., and the younger brother of Jeffrey Cititello, Jr., both of whom were convicted of federal narcotics trafficking following a federal jury trial in Albany, New York, in April 2023. During the trial, a woman identified as V-1 in the indictment testified at the trial.

Admits Guilt To Attacking Witness’ Son

     As part of his plea agreement, Patrick admitted that on the evening of May 19, 2024, while at a restaurant in Glenville, New York, he observed V-1, who was with her 15-year-old son, identified as V-2. When he observed V-1, Patrick was speaking on the phone with his brother Jeffrey, Jr., who was incarcerated. Patrick told his brother he had just seen V-1 walk into the restaurant.

     Patrick told his brother, Jeffrey, “I Gotta Rag This Bitch, I Gotta Call You Back,” meaning that he planned to retaliate against V-1 for her past testimony at trial. Jeffrey, Jr. responded, “Ok, Run Down, But Do It Away From Everyone If You Could.” 

     V-1 and V-2 then exited the restaurant and headed to their vehicle in the parking lot, during which Patrick followed the two. At one point, he stopped, took off his watch and cross-body bag, and placed the items on the ground. Patrick then ran toward V-1 and V-2, punching V-2 in the head, knocking him to the ground, and then continued to punch and kick V-2, causing him to sustain bruising and abrasions.

     Patrick Civitello, who has been in custody since his June 13, 2024 arrest, will be sentenced on February 28, 2025. At that time, he faces up to life in federal prison. If sentenced to a shorter term, Civitello will be required to serve up to five years of supervised release.