Federal jury convicts failed congressional candidate over drive-by shootings – JURIST
A jury in the US District Court for the District of Albuquerque convicted failed former New Mexico House of Representatives Candidate, Solomon Peña, on Wednesday of charges in connection with a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of democratic state and local lawmakers in Albuquerque in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
The shootings occurred between December 2022 and January 2023, targeting the homes of four elected officials. A grand jury indicted Peña in June 2023 of 11 counts. The charges included conspiracy, using a firearm during a crime of violence, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Prosecutors accused Peña of ordering and paying his co-defendants, Demetrio Trujillo and Jose Louise Trujillo, to fire guns at the homes of the group that certified Peña’s election results. They also accused Peña of firing a round from a 300 Blackout AR-15 pistol at the home of Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque.
According to the Department of Justice press release, the jury convicted Peña of one count of conspiracy; four counts of intimidation and interference with federally protected activities; four counts of using or carrying a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, including a machinegun in one instance; one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and three counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.
In response to Peña’s conviction Senators Linda Lopez and Debbie O’Malley, and Commissioner Adriann Barboa made the following joint statement:
Justice has been served. No individual or family should ever have to experience the terror of a drive by shooting. Our homes are meant to be our havens, where families feel secure and the stresses of our professional lives can be safely left behind. We are grateful that the jury found this man guilty on all counts and hope this verdict serves as a reminder that threats or acts of violence against anyone in this community will not be tolerated.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina also hailed the verdict stating: “While nobody was injured during these shootings, we were still shocked as a community by the fact that political rhetoric could turn to violence and put people at risk…I hope this verdict sends a message that political violence will not be tolerated in our city.”
Pena’s sentence will be issued at a later date, but Peña faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 60 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
