American Individual Linked to Aussie Shooters Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man linked with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia attack that took six lives – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will face court on October 21 after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established clear connections between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
US prosecutors stated Day communicated via social media with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing the Trains he wanted to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings outlined how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the shootings, saying police “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“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 the defendant stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition 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 agreement submitted in the legal system.
Day stated he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed individuals on how to use the firearms correctly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that relate to the alleged issuing threats to officials and FBI agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has completed two years in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the low end of the sentencing guidelines.
