{"id":58617,"date":"2025-03-20T17:50:37","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T00:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=58617"},"modified":"2025-03-20T17:50:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T00:50:37","slug":"new-mexico-house-candidate-convicted-of-drive-by-shootings-of-commissioners-and-state-legislators-facing-up-to-life-in-prison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=58617","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico House Candidate Convicted of Drive-By Shootings of Commissioners and State Legislators, Facing up to Life In Prison"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"A federal jury on Tuesday convicted a former New Mexico House candidate of organizing a shooting spree at the homes of four elected officials and plotting to murder witnesses to prevent their testimony, officials stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to authorities, Solomon Pe\u00f1a, 40, ran for District 14 in the 2022 midterm elections. <\/span><\/p>\n

After losing, he pressured Bernalillo County commissioners to reject the results. When they refused, Pe\u00f1a conspired with Demetrio Trujillo, 41, and Jose Trujillo, 24, to target the homes of two commissioners and two state legislators in a series of drive-by shootings between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023. <\/span><\/p>\n

One attack involved a machine gun, officials stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jose Trujillo pleaded guilty in January to multiple charges, including conspiracy, firearms offenses, and fentanyl distribution. His sentencing is set for April 14. Demetrio Trujillo pleaded guilty in February to similar charges and is set for sentencing on May 21.<\/span><\/p>\n

While in custody, Pe\u00f1a solicited inmates to help kill witnesses expected to testify at his trial.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Ultimately, smartphone communications from Pe\u00f1a, including texts, tied him to the attacks, according to prosecutors. The communications not only pinpointed the targeted officials\u2019 homes. They also purportedly spelled out allegations of election-rigging, and plans to \u201cpress the attack\u201d and rage over how voters overwhelmingly rejected him for a seat in New Mexico\u2019s statehouse,” The Guardian reported<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to act. \u2026 The enemy will eventually break,\u201d Pe\u00f1a is charged with saying in a text to a fellow Republican hours before the series of shootings began. He sent a separate message reading: \u201cIt is our duty \u2026 to stop the oligarchs from taking over our country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He was convicted of conspiracy, firearms violations, intimidation of public officials, solicitation to commit violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pe\u00f1a faces a mandatory minimum of 60 years and up to life in prison. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.<\/span><\/p>\n