American Individual Linked to Aussie Shooters Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia attack that took 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 striking the bargain with American authorities.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a deal to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established clear connections between Day and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were killed in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors said Day communicated via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
He described Queensland officers as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he desired to be at Wieambilla in person.
Court documents 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’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Court documents reveal Day accumulated a cache of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a shooting range, weapons 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',” he said in the agreement filed in court.
Day said he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the firearms properly.
The bargain will result in charges dropped that relate to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
According to legal files, the individual had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in custody, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal stipulates he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
