Ex-Republican Candidate Solomon Peña Convicted for Organizing Shootings at Democrats' Homes

Peña, who lost a New Mexico election in 2022, faces life in prison after being found guilty of orchestrating politically motivated attacks targeting elected officials.

• Solomon Peña was convicted on federal charges, including conspiracy and weapons offenses, for organizing drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• The attacks occurred between December 2022 and January 2023, shortly after Peña lost a state legislative race by nearly 50 percentage points.
• Prosecutors argued that Peña orchestrated the shootings out of anger over what he believed was a 'rigged' election; no injuries were reported, though bullets struck a state senator’s home, including her daughter’s bedroom.
• Co-defendants Demetrio and Jose Trujillo, who pleaded guilty and testified against Peña, claimed he directed the attacks, while Peña’s defense argued the Trujillos acted independently to reduce their own sentences.
• Peña faces a potential life sentence, with a sentencing date yet to be set, as his defense team plans to appeal the verdict, alleging political bias in the prosecution.

4 Articles

CBS News NBC News Newsweek