American Man Linked to Aussie Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed six lives – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the bargain with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary in the current month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
American officials said the accused communicated via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
Day described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he wanted to be at Wieambilla in person.
Court documents outlined how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the shootings, 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 will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Court documents show Day stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, 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’,” he said in the plea deal filed in court.
Day said he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained individuals on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that pertain to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
According to legal files, Day had been banned from possessing weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in custody, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
