American Man Linked to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a less severe plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on 21 October after finalizing the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the court this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators confirmed direct links between Day 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 remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were killed in a final shootout with police, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
American officials said the accused communicated via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing the Trains he wanted to be at the scene in person.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an apocalyptic video on the video platform after the incident, 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 will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Court documents show Day stockpiled a cache of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted 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',” he admitted in the plea deal filed in court.
He stated he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the guns correctly.
The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has served two years in detention, faces 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.
