Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 47-year-old man who stabbed another man in the neck after an argument in a local park has been sentenced to state prison.

Fred Santiago was sentenced by the Honorable Andra Ackerman Wednesday to serve five years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to Assault in the Second Degree.

On June 26 at approximately 10:45 p.m., Watervliet Police responded to Hudson Shores Park for a report of a stabbing. Santiago had walked up to a group of people who were sitting around listening to music and drinking in the park. A verbal argument ensued and Santiago pulled out a knife and stabbed a man in the throat. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries that required several stitches.

Officers quickly responded to the scene and apprehended Santiago as he was leaving the park on foot.

Assistant District Attorney and Bureau Chief of the Major Crimes Unit Joseph Brucato prosecuted the case.