US Individual Connected to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla attack that claimed six lives – including two Queensland police officers – has accepted a watered-down plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated Day communicated via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
Day described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Court documents detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on the video platform after the shootings, stating police “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Court documents reveal Day stockpiled a cache of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a gun range, weapons room and sniper’s nest.
“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 firearms, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in charges dropped that relate to the accused making of threats to officials and FBI agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has completed two years in detention, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be judged under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
