American Man Linked to Aussie Shooters Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen linked with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia attack that took six lives – among them two officers from Queensland – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr will appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the bargain with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a single offense of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the judiciary in the current month.
Connections to Australian Shooters
Investigators established direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a final shootout with police, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
US prosecutors stated the accused corresponded via online platforms with the perpetrators around the time of the deadly ambush.
He referred to Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he wanted to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings outlined how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the shootings, saying authorities “attempted to kill us, and we retaliated”.
“Failing to stand against these evil forces makes one a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” the Trains said.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records reveal Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a country estate 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 plea deal filed in court.
He stated he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also trained individuals on how to use the firearms correctly.
The bargain will result in dismissed counts that pertain to the accused making of threats to public figures and federal agents.
Based on legal files, Day had been banned from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served two years in custody, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a fine of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement stipulates he will be sentenced under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
