US Man Linked to Aussie Gunmen Secures Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has accepted a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after striking the plea deal with American authorities.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities established direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
American officials said Day communicated via social media with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
He referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing the Trains he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Court documents outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an end-times recording on YouTube after the shootings, stating authorities “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,” the Trains said.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Court documents reveal Day accumulated a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a shooting range, gun 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’,” he admitted in the agreement submitted in court.
He stated he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to use the firearms properly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the accused making of threats to officials and FBI agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has completed two years in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in jail or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be judged under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.
