US Individual Connected to Aussie Shooters Strikes Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia attack that took the lives of six individuals – among them two Queensland police officers – has accepted a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will appear in court on 21 October after striking the bargain with American authorities.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a sole offense of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established clear connections between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, killed officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated Day communicated via social media with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
He referred to Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling the Trains he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Court documents detailed how the couple had posted an end-times video on YouTube 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,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal the defendant stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a shooting range, gun 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’,” he said in the agreement submitted in court.
He stated he regularly accessed both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed others on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the alleged issuing threats to officials and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has completed 24 months in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be sentenced under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
