US Individual Linked to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two Queensland police officers – has accepted a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on October 21 after striking 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 firearms and ammunition in a deal to be sanctioned by the court this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated the accused communicated via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
He referred to Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing the Trains he desired to be at the scene in person.
Legal filings detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an end-times video on YouTube after the incident, stating police “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 Court Case
Court documents reveal the defendant accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a shooting range, gun 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 said in the plea deal filed in court.
Day stated he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed others on how to operate the guns correctly.
The plea deal will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the alleged issuing threats to officials and federal agents.
Based on legal files, Day had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served two years in custody, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
