US Individual Connected to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla attack that took the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after finalizing the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a single offense of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Links to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities established direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland 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 rural site.
American officials said the accused communicated via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
Day described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing the Trains he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings detailed how the couple had posted an apocalyptic recording on YouTube after the incident, 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’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Court documents reveal Day stockpiled a cache of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a gun range, weapons room and sniper hide.
“The firearms and ammunition were kept in the mobile home I shared with S.S., in a room we called the ‘gun room’,” Day admitted in the plea deal filed in court.
Day stated he frequently used both the gun room and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to use 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.
Based on court documents, the individual had been banned from possessing weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served two years in custody, faces a highest sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be judged under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
