American Individual Linked to Australian Shooters Strikes Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
An American citizen linked with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla attack that took the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has accepted a less severe plea agreement.
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, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a single offense of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were killed in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated Day communicated via social media with the perpetrators around the time of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland officers as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and said they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he wanted to be at Wieambilla in person.
Court documents detailed how the couple had posted an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the incident, stating police “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Court documents reveal the defendant accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted 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’,” Day admitted in the plea deal submitted in court.
Day stated he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to use the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in charges dropped that relate to the accused issuing threats to officials and federal agents.
Based on court documents, the individual had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has served 24 months in custody, could receive a highest sentence 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 legal sentencing standards.
