A federal jury has convicted Solomon Peña, a failed Republican political candidate, on numerous charges related to a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of Democratic lawmakers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The attacks, which occurred in December 2022 and January 2023, targeted four officials, including the current state House speaker, in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Peña, who lost his 2022 state legislative race by nearly 50 percentage points, was found guilty of 13 charges, including conspiracy, weapons offenses, and interference with federally protected activities.
Prosecutors argued that Peña orchestrated the shootings out of a belief that the election had been “rigged” against him. The attacks coincided with a nationwide surge in threats and acts of intimidation against election workers and public officials following former President Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud. Although no one was injured, bullets passed through the bedroom of a state senator’s 10-year-old daughter during one of the shootings.
Peña’s defense team maintained his innocence, claiming he was prosecuted for his political beliefs and that the case relied on the testimony of two co-conspirators, Demetrio Trujillo and his son Jose Trujillo, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in exchange for leniency. Defense attorney Nicholas Hart called the verdict a “travesty,” stating, “The evidence showed that Mr. Peña had nothing to do with these shootings.”
Peña, who has been in custody since his arrest in January 2023, faces a possible life sentence. His legal team plans to appeal the conviction. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. The case highlights the ongoing tensions and risks faced by public officials in the wake of contentious elections and unfounded claims of voter fraud.
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