A Buffalo man who threatened to blow up the Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center and attack other VA facilities has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault on a federal employee, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced.
Demont Coston, 56, faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $1 million fine when he returns for sentencing July 11 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer.
Prosecutors said Coston called the Veterans Affairs Crisis Line last 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 haven't done (expletive) for me in 30 years, it’s time to get rid of it, by any means necessary.” Coston also said that he would be “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.”
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Coston served in the Navy and received an Other Than Honorable discharge, making him ineligible for VA benefits and services, court papers said. He had tried to get benefits and was denied.
- Dale Anderson