American Individual Linked to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will face court on 21 October 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 offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators confirmed direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were killed in a gun battle with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors said Day corresponded via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
He referred to Queensland officers as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Court documents detailed how the couple had posted an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the incident, stating authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains said.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Legal records show Day accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun range, gun room and sniper’s nest.
“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 court.
Day stated he regularly accessed both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed individuals on how to use the guns correctly.
The bargain will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the accused issuing threats to officials and FBI agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been banned from owning guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served 24 months in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be sentenced under the low end of the sentencing guidelines.
