American Individual Connected to Australian Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen linked with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla attack that claimed the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the bargain with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole charge of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Links to Australian Shooters
Authorities established clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, killed officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
US prosecutors said Day communicated via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the fatal attack.
He referred to Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling the Trains he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the shootings, saying police “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains said.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Legal records reveal Day accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a shooting 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 submitted in court.
Day stated he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to use the guns correctly.
The plea deal will lead to dismissed counts that pertain to the alleged making of threats to officials and FBI agents.
According to legal files, the individual had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in custody, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be judged under the low end of the sentencing guidelines.
