American Individual Linked to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia shooting that took the lives of six individuals – including two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
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, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, killed Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were killed in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
US prosecutors stated the accused communicated via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the fatal attack.
He described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing the Trains he desired to be at the scene in person.
Court documents outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on YouTube after the incident, stating authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains expressed.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Court documents reveal Day stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a gun range, gun 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 filed in the legal system.
He said he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the guns correctly.
The plea deal will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the alleged making of threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, the individual had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has completed two years in custody, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years 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.
