US Individual Connected to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia shooting that claimed six lives – including two officers from Queensland – has accepted a less severe plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on 21 October after striking the plea deal with American authorities.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole charge of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a deal to be approved by the court this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated the accused corresponded via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the deadly ambush.
Day described Queensland officers as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing the Trains he desired to be at the scene physically.
Court documents outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on YouTube 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,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records show Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a shooting 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 submitted in court.
He stated he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained individuals on how to use the firearms properly.
The bargain will result in dismissed counts that relate to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has completed two years in custody, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.
