US Man Linked to Australian Shooters Strikes Plea Bargain with Federal Attorneys
A US man linked with the perpetrators behind the deadly Wieambilla, Australia shooting that claimed six lives – including two Queensland police officers – has accepted a less severe plea deal.
Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will face 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 charge of illegally owning guns and bullets in a arrangement to be approved by the court this month.
Links to Australian Shooters
Investigators established clear connections between the defendant and the Train couple through digital communications.
The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered Queensland police officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.
They were fatally shot in a gun battle with police, following a extended standoff at the rural site.
US prosecutors said the accused communicated via online platforms with the perpetrators during the period of the deadly ambush.
Day described Queensland police as “malignant, malformed and malevolent”, and declared they should be shown “absolutely no quarter”, informing them he wanted to be at Wieambilla in person.
Legal filings detailed how the couple had uploaded an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the shootings, stating authorities “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,” the Trains expressed.
Weapons Stockpile and Legal Proceedings
Legal records show Day stockpiled a collection of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammunition at a rural property 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’,” Day said in the agreement submitted in court.
Day said he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the firearms, and also instructed others on how to operate the guns properly.
The bargain will lead to dismissed counts that pertain to the alleged making of threats to officials and FBI agents.
According to court documents, Day had been prohibited from owning weapons and firearms because of his violent criminal history.
Day, who has served 24 months in custody, could receive a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a penalty of US$250,000 (A$381,500), but the plea deal specifies he will be judged under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.