US Man Connected to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla, Australia attack that took six lives – among them two Queensland police officers – has accepted a less severe plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will face court on 21 October after finalizing the plea deal with American authorities.
The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a single charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a arrangement to be sanctioned by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed clear connections between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
The Trains, 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 in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
US prosecutors stated Day corresponded via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland officers as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, informing them he desired to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings outlined how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic video on the video platform after the shootings, saying police “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … We will meet you at home, Don. With love,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Court documents show the defendant accumulated a collection of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was equipped with a shooting 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’,” he admitted in the agreement filed in the legal system.
He said he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also trained others on how to operate the firearms properly.
The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that relate to the accused making of threats to public figures and FBI agents.
Based on legal files, the individual had been banned from possessing guns and arms 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 prison or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be judged under the low end of the sentencing guidelines.