American Individual Linked to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will face court on 21 October after striking the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the court in the current month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
US prosecutors said the accused communicated via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the fatal attack.
He referred to Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he desired to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on the video platform after the incident, stating authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” they said.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Court documents show the defendant stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a shooting range, weapons room and sniper hide.
“The firearms and ammunition were kept in the mobile home I shared with S.S., in a room we called the ‘gun room’,” Day admitted in the agreement submitted in the legal system.
He said he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also trained others on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that relate to the accused making of threats to officials and federal agents.
According to legal files, Day had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has completed two years in custody, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
