US Man Connected to Aussie Gunmen Secures Plea Bargain with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla shooting that claimed the lives of six individuals – among them two officers from Queensland – has accepted a watered-down plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will face court on October 21 after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.
The convicted felon, 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 sanctioned by the court this month.
Links to Australian Shooters
Investigators established direct links between the defendant and the Train couple through online posts.
The Trains, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were killed in a final shootout with police, following a extended standoff at the regional property.
American officials said Day corresponded via social media with the Trains around the time 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 the scene in person.
Legal filings outlined how Gareth and Stacey Train had posted an apocalyptic recording on the video platform after the shootings, stating police “came to kill us and we killed them”.
“If you don’t defend yourself against these devils and demons, you’re a coward … we’ll see you at home, Don. Love you,” they said.
Weapons Stockpile and Court Case
Legal records reveal the defendant stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and numerous bullets of ammo at a country estate in Heber, Arizona, that was outfitted with a shooting range, weapons 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 regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also instructed individuals on how to operate the guns correctly.
The plea deal will lead to charges dropped that relate to the alleged issuing threats to public figures and FBI agents.
According to court documents, Day had been prohibited from possessing weapons and firearms because of his history of violent crimes.
Day, who has completed 24 months in custody, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in jail or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.