BUFFALO, NY – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Demont Coston, 56, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to assault upon a federal employee. This charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Henning, who is handling the case, stated that on September 12, 2023, Coston called the U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) Crisis Line and made repeated threats to blow up the Buffalo VA facility. Later that same day, Coston called the VA Crisis Line again and said, “I should go blow… I should go burn the building down.” On September 14, 2023, Coston texted the Crisis Line, saying, “The VA haven’t done (expletive) for me in 30 years, it’s time to get rid of it, by any means necessary.” Coston also mentioned, “Taking out all V.A. facilities, but I have 1 n mind first” and “I’m in DC, near the main VA ha ha ha good, I know where to hit them.”
The plea is the result of an investigation conducted by the VA Medical Center Police, under the direction of Chief Richard King, and the VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Algieri.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Roemer.
