US Individual Connected to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man linked with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla attack that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will appear in court on 21 October after striking the plea deal with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to plead guilty to a single charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the court this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities established clear connections between Day and the Train couple through digital communications.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a extended standoff at the rural site.
US prosecutors said Day corresponded via social media with the Trains around the time of the deadly ambush.
He referred to Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing the Trains he wanted to be at Wieambilla in person.
Court documents outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on the video platform after the incident, saying authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records show Day stockpiled a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a shooting 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',” Day admitted in the plea deal submitted in court.
He stated he frequently used both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also trained individuals on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the alleged making of threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to legal files, the individual had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served 24 months in custody, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be sentenced under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
