American Individual Linked to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia attack that claimed six lives – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on 21 October after striking the bargain with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the court this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Authorities confirmed clear connections between Day and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, killed Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were killed in a gun battle with police, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
US prosecutors stated Day communicated via social media with the perpetrators during the period of the fatal attack.
Day described Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he wanted to be at Wieambilla in person.
Court documents detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on the video platform after the incident, saying police “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.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Court documents show the defendant stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a shooting range, weapons 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 stated he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed individuals on how to use the guns properly.
The bargain will result in dismissed counts that pertain to the alleged making of threats to officials and federal agents.
According to court documents, the individual had been banned from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in custody, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment 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.
