Political hopeful from New Mexico sentenced to 80 years imprisonment over shootings at residential properties of public officials
In a remarkable turn of events, Solomon Penña, a former Republican candidate for New Mexico's House District 14, has been sentenced to 80 years in federal prison for his involvement in a series of politically motivated drive-by shootings.
The shootings, which occurred after the 2022 midterm elections, targeted the homes of four Democratic elected officials in Albuquerque. Among the victims were the current state House speaker and a state senator, with one shooting even occurring at the home of a state senator, where bullets passed through the bedroom of his 10-year-old daughter. No one was injured in the shootings.
Penña, who lost the 2022 election by nearly 50 percentage points, was convicted earlier this year of 13 felonies, including conspiracy, weapons, and obstruction of justice charges. The conviction came after a federal jury trial in March 2023.
During the sentencing, Penña's attorneys had requested a sentence of at least 60 years, the minimum allowed by law, despite his claims of innocence. However, the prosecution advocated for a more severe sentence to reflect the seriousness of his crimes and to promote respect for the law.
The prosecution's case relied on the testimony of two men with plea agreements. These men, who had previously pleaded guilty to federal charges and received years-long prison sentences, had also acknowledged their involvement in the attacks.
Nicholas Hart, one of Penña's attorneys, stated that Penña looks forward to the opportunity to appeal the conviction. He also expressed that the lawyers believe that serious issues about the propriety of the prosecution will be addressed during the appeal.
The shootings were a response to Penña's belief that a "rigged" election had robbed him of victory in his bid to serve in the state Legislature. The 2020 presidential election outcome was called into question by President Donald Trump and his allies, but the shootings were not related to the 2020 election. Instead, they occurred after the certification of the 2022 election.
The 80-year sentence is intended to deter others from engaging in similar political violence. Solomon Penña's case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions and the importance of respecting the democratic process.
In light of Solomon Penña's conviction and 80-year sentence, general news outlets are discussing the implications for us in the realm of politics and crime-and-justice. As a result of his involvement in politically motivated drive-by shootings targeting Democratic elected officials in Albuquerque, Penña, who was a former Republican candidate for New Mexico's House District 14, has been imprisoned.
