WASHINGTON, D.C. – A romantic entanglement fueled a brazen gun-running operation that flooded the streets of the nation’s capital with over 80 illegally sourced firearms, according to federal prosecutors. Gregory Bournes Jr., 31, of Lancaster, Virginia, and Dream Jackson, 30, of Riverdale, Georgia, both pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
The pair, who were dating at the time of the scheme, systematically purchased firearms from licensed dealers in Georgia and Texas between February 2021 and February 2022. They then transported the weapons north, directly into the District of Columbia and surrounding areas, with the explicit intent of reselling them for a profit. Court documents reveal Bournes and Jackson knowingly supplied guns to individuals prohibited from owning them.
The operation wasn’t just about money; it had real-world consequences. One of the firearms Bournes purchased in November 2021 – and subsequently peddled for profit – surfaced at the scene of an attempted murder in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Authorities are still scrambling to account for the majority of the 80+ weapons unleashed by the couple, with many likely still circulating and contributing to violent crime in the region.
Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested Bournes and Jackson in Georgia in March 2023 following an indictment by a D.C. grand jury. Initially released on their personal recognizance, both defendants were remanded to custody today after pleading guilty, at the government’s request. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves successfully argued for their detention pending sentencing.
Bournes and Jackson now face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2023, before Judge Royce C. Lamberth. However, the final sentence will be determined after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
“This case highlights the serious threat posed by illegal gun trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the ATF’s Washington Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas G. Strong, Paul V. Courtney, and Christine A. Pattison are prosecuting the case. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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