American Individual Linked to Aussie Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Prosecutors
A US man linked with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla attack that claimed the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after striking the plea deal with American authorities.
The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole offense of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a deal to be sanctioned by the court in the current month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
The Trains were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the rural site.
American officials said Day corresponded via social media with the perpetrators during the period of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he desired to be at Wieambilla in person.
Court documents outlined how the couple had posted an apocalyptic recording on YouTube 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 Legal Proceedings
Court documents reveal the defendant stockpiled a cache of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a gun range, gun room and sniper’s nest.
“The firearms and ammunition were kept in the mobile home I shared with S.S., in a room we called the ‘gun room’,” Day said in the plea deal filed in court.
Day stated he frequently used both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to use the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that relate to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on legal files, the individual had been prohibited from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has completed 24 months in detention, faces a highest sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.