American Individual Connected to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia shooting that claimed six lives – including two Queensland police officers – has accepted a watered-down plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after striking the plea deal with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole charge of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the court this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Authorities confirmed direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
US prosecutors said the accused corresponded via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the fatal attack.
Day described Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared 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 posted an apocalyptic recording on the video platform after the incident, saying police “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.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Legal records show the defendant stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a shooting range, gun 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 said in the agreement filed in court.
Day stated he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained others on how to operate the guns correctly.
The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that pertain to the accused issuing threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to court documents, Day had been banned from owning 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 imprisonment in jail or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
