American Man Linked to Aussie Gunmen Strikes Plea Deal with Federal Attorneys

A US man associated with the perpetrators behind the fatal Wieambilla attack that took the lives of six individuals – including two Queensland police officers – has agreed to a watered-down plea agreement.

Resident of Arizona Donald Day Jr will appear in court on October 21 after finalizing the plea deal with American authorities.

The individual with prior convictions, referred to online as “Geronimo’s Bones”, is anticipated to plead guilty to a sole charge of illegally owning firearms and ammunition in a deal to be approved by the court in the current month.

Connections to Australian Shooters

Investigators confirmed direct links between the defendant and Gareth and Stacey Train through online posts.

The Trains, along with Nathaniel Train, murdered officers from Queensland Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare at a isolated location in Wieambilla in 2022.

They were fatally shot in a final shootout with law enforcement, following a extended standoff at the rural site.

American officials stated the accused corresponded via social media with the Trains during the period of the fatal attack.

Day described Queensland police as “evil, corrupt, and wicked”, and said they should be shown “no mercy whatsoever”, telling them he desired to be at Wieambilla physically.

Court documents outlined how the couple had posted an apocalyptic video on YouTube after the incident, stating authorities “came to kill us and we killed them”.

“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 Court Case

Legal records show the defendant accumulated a cache of nine high-powered firearms and numerous bullets of ammo at a rural property in Heber, AZ, that was equipped with a shooting range, weapons room and sniper’s nest.

“The guns and ammo were stored in the trailer I occupied with S.S., within a space we named the 'gun room',” Day said in the agreement filed in the legal system.

Day said he regularly accessed both the weapons storage and the weapons, and also trained others on how to use the firearms properly.

The plea deal will lead to dismissed counts that pertain to the accused making of threats to officials and federal agents.

According to court documents, the individual had been banned from possessing guns and arms because of his violent criminal history.

Day, who has completed 24 months in detention, faces a highest sentence of up to 15 years in jail or a penalty of $250,000 (A$381,500), but the agreement specifies he will be judged under the minimum range of the legal sentencing standards.