US Individual Connected to Aussie Gunmen Secures Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys
An American citizen linked with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla attack that took the lives of six individuals – among them two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a watered-down plea deal.
Arizona-based Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after finalizing the bargain with American authorities.
The convicted felon, known online as “Geronimo's Bones”, is expected to plead guilty to a single offense of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the judiciary this month.
Links to Australian Shooters
Investigators confirmed direct links between Day and Gareth and Stacey Train through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered Queensland police officers Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
The Trains were killed in a gun battle with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
American officials said Day corresponded via online platforms with the Trains during the period of the deadly ambush.
He described Queensland officers as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, telling them he wanted to be at Wieambilla physically.
Court documents outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the shootings, saying police “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,” they expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Court documents reveal Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was outfitted with a gun 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’,” Day said in the plea deal filed in court.
Day stated he frequently used both the gun room and the weapons, and also trained others on how to use the firearms correctly.
The bargain will result in charges dropped that relate to the alleged issuing threats to officials and federal agents.
Based on legal files, Day had been prohibited from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served 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 specifies he will be sentenced under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.
