American Individual Linked to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys
A US man associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla attack that claimed six lives – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on 21 October after finalizing the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to plead guilty to a sole offense of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Investigators established direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel 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 extended standoff at the regional property.
American officials stated the accused communicated via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the deadly ambush.
Day described Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling the Trains he wanted to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an end-times recording on YouTube after the incident, stating 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’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains said.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Legal records show the defendant stockpiled a cache of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a shooting range, gun 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 said in the plea deal filed in the legal system.
Day said he frequently used both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also trained others on how to use the firearms properly.
The bargain will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the accused issuing threats to officials and federal agents.
According to court documents, the individual had been prohibited from owning guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in jail or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
