Disabled buffalo veteran frustrated with poor care sentenced for threat

BUFFALO, NY — Demont Coston, 56, of Buffalo, NY, has been sentenced to time served for assault upon a federal employee, following threats he made to blow up the Buffalo VA facility. The sentence was handed down by U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Romer, as announced by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Henning, who prosecuted the case, detailed the threats made by Coston. On September 12, 2023, Coston called the U.S. Veterans Affairs Crisis Line multiple times, making repeated threats to blow up the Buffalo VA facility. Later the same day, he called again, stating, “I should go blow… I should go burn the building down.”

Two days later, on September 14, 2023, Coston texted the Crisis Line, expressing his frustration with the VA’s lack of support over 30 years, saying, “The VA haven’t done (expletive) for me in 30 years, it’s time to get rid of it, by any means necessary.” He further threatened, “Taking out all V.A. facilities, but I have 1 in mind first,” and claimed to be near the main VA in Washington, D.C., indicating, “I’m in DC, near the main VA ha ha ha good, I know where to hit them.”

The investigation leading to Coston’s conviction was conducted by the VA Medical Center Police, under the direction of Chief Richard King, and the VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Algieri.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.