American Individual Linked to Australian Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed six lives – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on October 21 after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single offense of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a deal to be approved by the court this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed direct links between Day and the Train couple through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, killed officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated the accused communicated via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing them he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Legal filings detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic video on the video platform after the shootings, saying 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 will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a gun range, gun room and sniper hide.
“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 plea deal submitted in the legal system.
He said he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also trained individuals on how to use the guns properly.
The plea deal will lead to dismissed counts that pertain to the alleged making of threats to officials and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in custody, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in jail or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal stipulates he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.