American Individual Connected to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia shooting that took 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 appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a single offense of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a deal to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Authorities confirmed clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
American officials stated Day corresponded via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings detailed how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the shootings, saying police “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” they expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a cache 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 plea deal filed in court.
Day stated he regularly accessed both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the guns properly.
The bargain will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and FBI agents.
Based on legal files, Day had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has completed two years in detention, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment in prison or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
