Buffalo man who threatened to blow up VA facility pleads guilty

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man pleaded guilty to assault upon a federal employee following numerous threats made against the VA in 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Officials said on Sept. 12, 56-year-old Demont Coston called the U.S. Veterans Affairs Crisis Line and made repeated threats to blow up the Buffalo VA facility. Later that same day, Coston called the crisis line again saying, “I should go blow… I should go burn the building down.”

According to the Attorney’s Office, Coston texted the crisis line on Sept. 14, 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 allegedly said that he would be, “taking out all VA facilities, but I have one in mind first,” and “I’m in D.C., near the main VA ha ha ha good, I know where to hit them.”

Assault upon a federal employee carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Coston’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11.

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here .