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.
