Former New Mexico GOP Candidate Sentenced to 80 Years for Orchestrating Drive-By Shootings
In a shocking turn of events, Solomon Peña, a former Republican candidate for the New Mexico State House, has been sentenced to 80 years in prison after being found guilty of orchestrating drive-by shootings targeting the homes of Democratic officials following his election defeat. This troubling case highlights the alarming intersection of political rivalry and violence.
Peña was convicted on 13 felony charges earlier this year, stemming from a series of attacks that took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, between December 4, 2022, and January 3, 2023. His charges included conspiracy, possession of a firearm as a felon, four counts of intimidation, and multiple counts related to using firearms in violent crimes.
The attacks, which were executed by hired gunmen, occurred just weeks after Peña’s loss in the November 2022 election. Disturbingly, some of these shootings occurred while children and family members were present in the targeted homes, although fortunately, no one was injured.
Prosecutors revealed that Peña’s motivations were rooted in unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. Following his defeat, he pressured members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners to reject the election results, alleging that the election was "rigged" against him. When his efforts were rebuffed, he enlisted co-conspirators Jose Trujillo and Demetrio Trujillo to carry out the violent attacks.
U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, Ryan Ellison, condemned Peña’s actions, stating, "Violence and intimidation have no place in our elections." The officials targeted by Peña included the current state House speaker and other Democratic legislators.
Following his arrest, Peña reportedly attempted to silence his co-conspirators by plotting to have them murdered to prevent them from testifying against him. In addition to his lengthy prison sentence, Peña will face three years of supervised release. His attorney has indicated plans to appeal the conviction.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of political extremism and the importance of upholding democratic values.
For more updates and in-depth coverage on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News.
