Man Pleads Guilty in Case of Threats Against Buffalo VA Hospital

A Buffalo man who threatened to bomb the Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center and attack other VA facilities has pleaded guilty to one count of assault on a federal employee, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced.

Demont Coston, 56, faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $1 million fine when he returns for sentencing July 11 before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Roemer.

Prosecutors said Coston called the Veterans Affairs crisis line on Sept. 12 and repeatedly threatened to blow up the VA facility in Buffalo.

Two days later, prosecutors said, Coston texted the crisis line, saying, “The VA has done nothing for me in 30 years, it’s time to get rid of them, by any means necessary.” Coston also said he was going to “destroy every VA facility, but I have an idea in mind first” and “I’m in DC, near the main VA, ha ha ha, I know where to hit them.”

Coston served in the Navy and received an other-than-honorable discharge, making him ineligible for VA benefits and services, according to court documents. He had tried to get benefits and was denied.