US Individual Linked to Aussie Gunmen Secures Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla attack that took six lives – among them two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a watered-down plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will face court on 21 October after finalizing the bargain with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a single charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the court this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Authorities established clear connections between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
US prosecutors stated Day communicated via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he wanted to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic recording on the video platform after the incident, 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,” the Trains expressed.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Court documents reveal Day accumulated a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a gun 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’,” he said in the agreement submitted in court.
Day said he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed others on how to operate the firearms properly.
The plea deal will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has completed two years in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
