Failed GOP House Rep candidate convicted in shooting spree and murder plot
(March 25, 2025) Yesterday, a formerly failed GOP candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives was found guilty by a federal jury for a shooting spree targeting the homes of four elected officials and a subsequent plot to murder multiple witnesses to prevent their testimony at trial.
Solomon Peña, who ran for a seat in the New Mexico legislature in 2022, was convicted at trial of over a dozen charges in organizing attacks on four lawmakers. His involvement included not just recruiting gunmen – who have already plead guilty – but he participated in one of the attacks using a machine gun, according to court filings. From jail he also tried having witnesses killed … ~ USA Today
After his November 2022 electoral defeat, the 40-year-old Peña pressured members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners to refuse to certify the results of the election, but despite Peña’s pressure, the commissioners certified the results. Peña then organized and participated in shootings on the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners who voted to certify the election and two New Mexico state legislators. The shootings, one of which involved a machine gun, were carried out between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023, with assistance from co-conspirators Demetrio Trujillo, 41; and Jose Trujillo, 24.
From 2023:
Jose Trujillo previously pleaded guilty on Jan. 9, 2024, to conspiracy, interference with federally protected activities, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, discharging said firearm, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jose Trujillo’s sentencing is set for April 14.
Demetrio Trujillo previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2024, to conspiracy, two counts of interference with federally protected activities, one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and discharging said firearm. Demetrio Trujillo’s sentencing is set for May 21.
After his arrest, Peña solicited several inmates in jail to coordinate the murder of multiple witnesses in order to prevent their testimony at trial.
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.
Peña faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 60 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. For more on the story, see the video below.
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(Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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