American Individual Linked to Australian Gunmen Strikes Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla attack that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on 21 October after finalizing the bargain with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a deal to be sanctioned by the court this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Investigators established clear connections between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
US prosecutors said Day communicated via social media with the perpetrators around the time of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling the Trains he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on YouTube after the shootings, stating authorities “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” they expressed.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Court documents reveal Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a gun range, weapons room and sniper’s nest.
“The guns and ammo were stored in the trailer I occupied with S.S., within a space we named the 'gun room',” Day admitted in the agreement submitted in the legal system.
Day said he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed others on how to use the firearms correctly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that relate to the alleged making of threats to officials and FBI agents.
According to court documents, Day had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served two years in detention, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in jail or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal stipulates he will be judged under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
