American Individual Connected to Australian Shooters Strikes Plea Deal with Prosecutors
An American citizen associated with the culprits behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia attack that claimed six lives – including two officers from Queensland – has accepted a less severe plea agreement.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr. will appear in court on 21 October after striking the bargain with US prosecutors.
The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to admit guilt to a single offense of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition in a deal to be sanctioned by the court in the current month.
Connections to Aussie Gunmen
Authorities confirmed clear connections between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.
This couple, along with Gareth’s brother Nathaniel, murdered officers from Queensland Arnold and McCrow, and neighbor Alan Dare at a remote property in Wieambilla, Queensland in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a protracted siege at the regional property.
American officials said Day communicated via social media with the Trains during the period of the fatal attack.
Day referred to Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing the Trains he wanted to be at the scene physically.
Legal filings detailed how Gareth and Stacey Train had uploaded an end-times video on YouTube after the shootings, saying police “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 Court Case
Court documents show the defendant stockpiled a collection of multiple powerful guns and hundreds of rounds of ammo at a country estate in Heber, AZ, 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’,” he said in the plea deal filed in the legal system.
He said he frequently used both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained others on how to operate the guns correctly.
The bargain will lead to charges dropped that pertain to the accused issuing threats to public figures and federal agents.
According to legal files, the individual had been banned from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
The defendant, who has served two years in custody, faces a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment in jail or a fine of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the low end of the legal sentencing standards.
