US Individual Connected to Australian Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia shooting that took the lives of six individuals – among them two Queensland police officers – has accepted a less severe plea agreement.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the bargain with American authorities.
The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the court this month.
Links to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
American officials said the accused corresponded via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing them he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Court documents detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic recording on the video platform after the shootings, saying authorities “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,” they expressed.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Court documents reveal Day stockpiled a cache of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a shooting range, weapons room and sniper hide.
“The guns and ammo were stored in the trailer I occupied with S.S., within a space we named the 'gun room',” Day admitted in the agreement submitted in the legal system.
He said he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to use the guns properly.
The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has completed 24 months in custody, faces a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal stipulates he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
