US Individual Connected to Australian Gunmen Secures Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed six lives – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will appear in court on 21 October after finalizing the bargain with American authorities.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a sole offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Links to Aussie Gunmen
Investigators established clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
This couple, along with Nathaniel Train, killed Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
American officials said the accused communicated via social media with the Trains 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 the Trains he wanted to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic video on the video platform after the shootings, stating authorities “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,” they said.
Firearms Cache and Court Case
Legal records show Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a country estate in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a gun range, gun 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',” Day admitted in the agreement filed in court.
He stated he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed others on how to operate the guns properly.
The bargain will result in charges dropped that pertain to the accused making of threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to court documents, Day had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has completed two years in custody, could receive 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 low end of the sentencing guidelines.