American Individual Connected to Australian Shooters Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man linked with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia attack that took six lives – including two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on 21 October after striking the plea deal with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a deal to be approved by the court in the current month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, killed Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors said Day corresponded via social media with the perpetrators around the time of the deadly ambush.
Day described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling the Trains he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Court documents outlined how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic 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,” they said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal the defendant stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun range, weapons room and sniper hide.
“The firearms and ammunition were kept in the mobile home I shared with S.S., in a room we called the ‘gun room’,” Day admitted in the agreement filed in court.
Day said he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also trained individuals on how to use the firearms correctly.
The bargain will result in charges dropped that pertain to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to legal files, the individual had been banned from possessing weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served 24 months in detention, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
