Former LI football player sentenced to 20 years in killing during botched 2009 robbery of drug dealer

A former All-Long Island high school football player was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday for masterminding the robbery of an alleged drug dealer that resulted in the killing of the dealer's father.

John Moglia, 33, of Sayville, pleaded guilty in August 2014 to a conspiracy to commit robbery in interference with interstate commerce.

One member of the crew that Moglia had sent to rob the alleged marijuana dealer, Steven Privitera Jr., in December 2009, shot and killed Privitera's father when he attempted to break up the robbery in the Bohemia home.

The father, who officials said was not involved in his son's alleged drug dealing, was also named Steven Privitera. Moglia was not present at the botched robbery scene.

Before he was sentenced, Moglia told U.S. District Judge Leonard Wexler in Central Islip, "I would like to apologize for my actions. I hurt a lot of people."

Wexler also sentenced Moglia to 3 years' supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $20,000.

The restitution is for expenses such as the elder Privitera's funeral.

Louise Privitera, wife of the deceased Privitera and mother of the younger Privitera, was in court but said she couldn't read a statement she had prepared.

Instead, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Boeckmann of the Eastern District read it.

"Not only was Steven Privitera my husband," Boeckmann read from Privitera's statement, "but also my lifelong friend since I was 14 years old. . . . These people invaded my home, armed with weapons and a horrible mission to accomplish, and it was all orchestrated by John Moglia. . . . We had several years of sleeplessness and fearful nights, with many emotions and tears. Our lives have been damaged forever. My husband, my children's father will never be back again."

Boeckmann, in describing the killing to Wexler, said the elder Privitera "basically bled out on the floor of his home."

Before his client was sentenced, attorney Ed Jenks of Mineola said, "There are two sides to John Moglia . . . an outstanding football player in Farmingdale [who] got involved with the wrong people and made wrong choices. Mr. Moglia is remorseful; he screwed up his life."

When he pleaded guilty, Moglia had said the killing occurred during the third time he had attempted to rob the younger Privitera at his home.

Moglia said that in June of 2009, he and members of his crew went to the Privitera house and stole a safe that had $144,000, jewelry, marijuana and a shotgun. In November 2009, he said he sent the crew for a second robbery, but they went to the wrong house.

Rhamaad Spann, the associate of Moglia's who killed the elder Privitera, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in July.

Moglia was an All-Long Island defensive lineman for Farmingdale High School in 1999.