American Man Connected to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man associated with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia shooting that took the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has accepted a watered-down plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on 21 October after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a sole charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the court in the current month.
Links to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
American officials stated Day corresponded via social media with the perpetrators around the time of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling the Trains he desired to be at the scene in person.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times video on the video platform after the shootings, 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 will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains said.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Legal records show Day accumulated a collection of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun 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 admitted in the agreement filed in the legal system.
Day stated he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the firearms properly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, the individual had been prohibited from owning guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served two years in custody, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in jail or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
