A former New Mexico House of Representatives candidate has been found guilty by a federal jury for orchestrating a shooting spree targeting the homes of elected officials and subsequently plotting to murder witnesses to obstruct his trial.
Solomon Peña, 40, was convicted on charges stemming from his actions following his defeat in the November 2022 mid-term elections.
After losing his bid for District 14, Peña pressured the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners to refuse to certify the election results. When they declined, Peña organized and participated in a series of shootings targeting the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two New Mexico state legislators.
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The shootings, which occurred between December 4, 2022, and January 3, 2023, included one incident involving a machine gun. Peña was assisted in these crimes by co-conspirators Demetrio Trujillo, 41, and Jose Trujillo, 24.
Jose Trujillo previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy, interference with federally protected activities, firearms charges, and drug possession. Demetrio Trujillo also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and firearms charges. Both are awaiting sentencing.
Following his arrest, Peña attempted to solicit inmates to murder witnesses in an effort to prevent their testimony at his trial.
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The jury found Peña guilty of one count of conspiracy, four counts of intimidation and interference with federally protected activities, four counts of using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence (including a machine gun charge), being a felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.
Peña faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
The case was investigated by the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
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