American Man Connected to Australian Shooters Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
An American citizen linked with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla attack that claimed the lives of six individuals – including two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after striking the bargain with American authorities.
The individual with prior convictions, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is expected to admit guilt to a sole offense of unlawfully possessing guns and bullets in a deal to be approved by the judiciary this month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Investigators confirmed direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Arnold and 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 protracted siege at the rural site.
American officials said the accused corresponded via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the fatal attack.
He described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing them he wanted to be at Wieambilla physically.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an apocalyptic recording on the video platform after the incident, saying 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,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, 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’,” Day admitted in the plea deal filed in court.
Day said he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the firearms properly.
The plea deal will result in dismissed counts that pertain to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on court documents, the individual had been banned from possessing guns and arms because of his history of violent crimes.
The defendant, who has completed 24 months in detention, faces a highest sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be sentenced under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
