American Man Connected to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on 21 October after striking the plea deal with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to plead guilty to a sole offense of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the court this month.
Links to Australian Shooters
Authorities confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a final shootout with police, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
American officials stated the accused communicated via social media with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
Day described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he wanted to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an end-times recording on YouTube after the shootings, stating authorities “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” they expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal the defendant stockpiled a cache of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a shooting range, gun 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’,” he admitted in the agreement submitted in court.
He stated he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also instructed others on how to operate the guns properly.
The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to court documents, Day had been banned from owning guns and arms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has served 24 months in detention, faces a highest sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be judged under the minimum range of the sentencing guidelines.
