Schenectady man indicted for assaulting son of witness

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The U.S. Attorney's Office announced that Patrick Civitello, 18, of Schenectady, has been indicted for a witness retaliation incident. Civitello is accused of assaulting the son of a witness who testified at the drug trafficking trial of Civitello's father and older brother.

The reported assault took place on May 19 in a restaurant parking lot in Glenville while in the witness' presence. The indictment alleges that Civitello assaulted the child with the intent to retaliate against the witness for her trial testimony.

The child reportedly suffered injuries to the head and body as a result of the incident. Civitello was arrested on June 13 after a criminal complaint was filed.

Following a hearing on June 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Stewart ordered that Civitello be released with conditions. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, that decision was later appealed, and Civitello currently remains in custody.

Civitello faces up to life in prison if he is convicted. The case remains under investigation by the FBI's Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the Glenville Police Department.