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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A jury has found a former political candidate guilty of federal charges linked to a series of drive-by shootings aimed at the residences of lawmakers in Albuquerque following the 2020 election.
Former Republican candidate Solomon Peña entered a not guilty plea regarding conspiracy, weapons offenses, and interference with federally protected activities related to the shootings that occurred between December 2022 and January 2023. The targets included four Democratic officials, among them the current speaker of the state House.
This pattern of violence emerged amid a broader climate of intimidation and threats aimed at election workers and public officials across the nation, which intensified following false claims about the 2020 presidential election from former President Donald Trump and his associates.
Prosecutors contended that Peña turned to violence due to his belief that a “rigged” election deprived him of a rightful victory in his attempt to join the state Legislature.
The shootings specifically targeted the homes of officials, including two county commissioners, shortly after they certified the results of the 2022 election, in which Peña suffered a staggering defeat by nearly 50 points. Fortunately, there were no casualties; however, in one incident, gunfire penetrated the bedroom of a state senator’s 10-year-old daughter.
Defense counsel argued that Peña had no direct involvement in the shootings and emphasized that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on the testimonies of two individuals who accepted plea deals in exchange for reduced sentences.
Demetrio Trujillo and his son, Jose Trujillo, had previously admitted guilt to federal charges related to the shootings.
The trial for Peña commenced on March 11, overseen by U.S. District Judge Kea W. Riggs.
Peña was taken into custody in January 2023 and has remained in both state and federal detention, now facing the possibility of a life sentence. The weapons charges against him implicated the use of a machine gun in connection with a violent crime.
Source
abcnews.go.com