DETROIT – Sebastian Gregerson, 30, of Detroit, admitted in federal court today to purchasing a firearm illegally through a straw purchaser, adding another layer to a disturbing case already marked by extremist leanings and the possession of explosive devices. The guilty plea comes as Gregerson remains in custody, facing a potential decade behind bars.
Acting United States Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch, alongside FBI Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios, announced the development, detailing how Gregerson orchestrated the purchase of a Glock 31 .357 caliber gun on February 16, 2014. He traveled to a Virginia gun show with an accomplice, providing the cash and specifically identifying the weapon he wanted. The accomplice then falsely certified on a federal firearms form that he was the actual buyer, a blatant violation of federal law.
Court records paint a clear picture of the scheme. Gregerson took possession of the firearm immediately after the fraudulent transaction. The gun wasn’t discovered until July of 2016, during a raid on Gregerson’s Detroit residence. But this wasn’t Gregerson’s first brush with federal firearms charges. On March 17, 2017, he previously pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered destructive devices – specifically, grenade bodies and fuses capable of assembling fully functional M67 fragmentation grenades. These components were obtained through an undercover FBI employee.
The FBI’s investigation didn’t stop at the explosives. Authorities uncovered a troubling digital footprint, revealing Gregerson’s open support for the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Social media posts and conversations with the undercover agent allegedly contained statements indicating a willingness to commit violent acts. This connection elevates the case beyond simple firearms violations, suggesting a potential national security threat.
Gregerson was initially arrested on August 1, 2016. He’s been held without bail ever since, awaiting sentencing in both this case and the prior explosives conviction. United States District Judge Arthur J. Tarnow has scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 30, 2017. The straw purchase conviction carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors will likely seek a substantial sentence, given the totality of the evidence and the defendant’s apparent radicalization.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of federal law enforcement to disrupt the flow of illegal firearms and to identify and neutralize individuals with extremist ideologies. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing and any further developments. The FBI Detroit Division is leading the investigation, with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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