US Individual Linked to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Prosecutors
An American citizen linked with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia attack that claimed six lives – among them two Queensland police officers – 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, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a single offense of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Investigators established direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
American officials said Day communicated via social media with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
He referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling the Trains he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the incident, stating police “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun range, gun room and sniper’s nest.
“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 stated he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to operate the firearms properly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that relate to the accused making of threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to court documents, the individual had been prohibited from owning guns and arms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has served two years in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in prison or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be sentenced under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
