In brief
Former Republican candidate Solomon Peña was found guilty on 13 counts, including conspiracy, for organizing shootings at the homes of Democratic officials, where no injuries were reported. Peña's lawyer intends to appeal the verdict, which prosecutors suggest could lead to a minimum 60-year prison sentence.
A former Republican candidate for a state legislative seat in New Mexico, Solomon Peña, has been found guilty on federal charges linked to a series of drive-by shootings aimed at various Democratic officials' residences. The jury returned a verdict on Wednesday after roughly five hours of deliberation, convicting Peña of all 13 counts, which included conspiracy, weapons offenses, and interference with federally protected activities.The allegations stem from incidents that took place between late December 2022 and January 2023, occurring shortly after Peña's unsuccessful bid for a statehouse seat, where he lost significantly to an incumbent in a district that has historically leaned Democratic. Fortunately, despite bullets striking homes, there were no injuries reported, although bullets entered the bedroom of a state senator's young daughter.Accompanying Peña in the case were two co-defendants, Demetrio Trujillo and his son Jose Trujillo, who had already pleaded guilty the previous year. Following his arrest in January 2023, authorities revealed Peña's involvement in hiring four men to carry out the shootings, providing them cash and detailed messages with shooting locations.Peña, who refused to accept the loss of his election, had approached a number of county commissioners and a state senator, asserting that there was election fraud and discouraging them from certifying the results. His conduct, as detailed by Albuquerque Police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos, included delivering paperwork to the officials asserting that the electoral contest had been rigged.His trial commenced on March 10, concluding after just over two weeks of testimonies. The Justice Department has indicated that if convicted, Peña could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 years in prison due to the severity of the federal charges.This is not Peña's first brush with the law; he was previously convicted in 2008 on charges involving vehicle burglary, larceny, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Following a prison term that began in May 2009, he was released under probation in March 2016 and ultimately discharged from supervision in March 2021.As Peña's lawyer labeled the trial a political maneuver, stating intentions to appeal the verdict, its implications on the ongoing discourse around electoral integrity and political violence in the United States remain significant.
