US Individual Linked to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man associated with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla shooting that took six lives – among them two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will face court on October 21 after striking the bargain with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a single offense of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Links to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities established direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the rural site.
US prosecutors stated the accused communicated via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland officers as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling the Trains he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings outlined how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the shootings, saying police “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 said.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammunition at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a gun range, weapons 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 said in the plea deal submitted in the legal system.
He said he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained individuals on how to use the firearms correctly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that pertain to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on legal files, the individual had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served two years in detention, could receive a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
