US Man Connected to Australian Gunmen Strikes Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
A US man associated with the culprits behind the fatal Wieambilla shooting that claimed six lives – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a less severe plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after striking the bargain with American authorities.
The convicted felon, referred to online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole charge of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the court in the current month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Authorities established direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, killed officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
American officials stated Day corresponded via online platforms with the Trains around the time of the fatal attack.
He described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing them he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings detailed how the couple had uploaded an end-times video on YouTube after the incident, 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,” they expressed.
Firearms Cache and Legal Proceedings
Legal records show Day stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a gun 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’,” Day said in the agreement submitted in court.
Day stated he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained individuals on how to operate the guns properly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that relate to the accused making of threats to officials and federal agents.
According to legal files, the individual had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has completed 24 months in detention, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment 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.
