American Individual Linked to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed six lives – among them two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a less severe plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will face 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 admit guilt to a single charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary in the current month.
Links to Australian Shooters
Investigators established direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were killed in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
American officials stated the accused communicated via social media with the perpetrators around the time of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing them he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Court documents detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an end-times video on YouTube after the shootings, saying 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,” they said.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a cache of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun 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',” he admitted in the plea deal filed in court.
He stated he regularly accessed both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that pertain to the alleged making of threats to officials and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in detention, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
