American Individual Connected to Australian Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that took the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will appear in court on October 21 after striking the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a single offense of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Links to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
The Trains, 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 law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
American officials stated the accused communicated via social media with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
Day described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing the Trains he wanted to be at Wieambilla physically.
Court documents detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the incident, 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,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Court documents show the defendant stockpiled a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a gun range, gun room and sniper’s nest.
“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 plea deal filed in the legal system.
Day said he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also trained individuals on how to use the firearms properly.
The bargain will lead to charges dropped that relate to the accused making of threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, the individual had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has served two years in custody, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in jail or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
