Convicted New Mexico offender receives an 80-year sentence for shootings at elected officials' residences.
In a series of drive-by shootings that targeted the homes of state and local lawmakers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, two men have been sentenced for their involvement. Jose Trujillo and Demetrio Trujillo, who pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the attacks, were sentenced to 37 months and 180 months (15 years) in prison, respectively.
The prosecution's case relied on the testimony of two men who had accepted plea agreements. Both Jose and Demetrio Trujillo acknowledged helping Solomon Peña, a former Republican candidate, carry out the attacks.
Solomon Peña, who was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison earlier this year, was convicted of conspiracy, weapons, and other charges. No one was injured in the shootings, but in one case, bullets passed through the bedroom of a state senator's 10-year-old daughter.
The shootings occurred in December 2022 and January 2023 and targeted the homes of officials including two county commissioners, a state senator, and the current state House speaker. The attacks were believed to be in retaliation for the 2022 election, in which Peña lost by nearly 50 percentage points.
Peña's lawyers maintain that he is innocent of the charges, and he has expressed a desire to appeal the conviction. Similarly, the Trujillo brothers' lawyers have stated that they were not involved in the shootings.
The attacks against election workers and public officials surged across the country after President Donald Trump and his allies questioned the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Nicholas Hart, one of Peña's attorneys, stated that Peña looks forward to the opportunity to appeal the conviction.
As the Trujillo brothers begin their prison sentences, the community of Albuquerque can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that those responsible for the drive-by shootings have been brought to justice. The sentencing marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety of elected officials and the democratic process.
In the aftermath of the drive-by shootings in Albuquerque targeting state and local lawmakers, the ensuing trial revealed that Solomon Peña, a former Republican candidate, conspired with Jose and Demetrio Trujillo, who were sentenced for their involvement in the attacks. Furthermore, the disturbing trend of crime and justice incidents continued to permeate general news, as it was reported that President Donald Trump and his allies had contributed to the rise in attacks against election workers and public officials.
