Latest news with #DemetrioTrujillo
Axios
5 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Ex-New Mexico state candidate gets 80 years for shootings at Dems' homes
Solomon Peña, an unsuccessful New Mexico state House candidate, was sentenced to 80 years in prison Wednesday "for orchestrating a politically motivated shooting spree and plotting to murder witnesses to obstruct justice," the Justice Department announced. The big picture: A federal jury in March found the 42-year-old guilty of of all charges related to the drive-by shootings targeting the homes and offices of elected state state Democratic officials in N.M. in December 2022 and January 2023. Peña, who ran for the House District 14 seat in the 2022 midterms, was convicted of 13 charges. These included conspiracy, firearms charges, four counts of intimidation and interference with federally protected activities, per a Department of Justice statement Wednesday. Driving the news: "After his electoral defeat, Peña falsely claimed the election was rigged and began pressuring members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners not to certify the results," per the statement. He recruited accomplices Jose Trujillo and Demetrio Trujillo to carry out the shootings after the commissioners refused his demands, the DOJ said. "One of the shootings involved a fully automatic machine gun. Multiple rounds struck areas of the homes where children had recently been or were sleeping," the statement noted. "Following his arrest, Peña attempted to have Jose and Demetrio Trujillo murdered to prevent them from testifying, offering fellow inmates money and a vehicle in exchange for their deaths." Zoom in: Jose Trujillo previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy, interference with federally protected activities and other charges including firearms offenses and was sentenced to 37 months in prison, according to the DOJ. Demetrio Trujillo pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to 180 months in prison. For the record: The court in Albuquerque ordered Peña to pay restitution and a $250,000 fine. "Upon his release from prison, Peña will be subject to three years of supervised release," the DOJ said.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man hired to shoot New Mexico lawmakers' homes sentenced to 15 years in prison
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One of the men who shot up Democratic leaders' homes more than two years ago, stood in court Wednesday and apologized before a judge sentenced him to fifteen years in prison. Story continues below Trending: Remains found in Santa Fe National Forest identified as 1950s wrestler, actor Don't Miss: Santa Fe teacher, principal, and school counselor put on administrative leave Entertainment: Which Santa Fe spots did Guy Fieri visit on 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives'? Demetrio Trujillo is one of the men who helped failed statehouse candidate, Soloman Peña, orchestrate the attacks in 2022 and 2023. On Wednesday, some of the elected officials who were victims of the attacks were present in the courtroom, sharing how the incident still affects them. Albuquerque's Chief of Police Harold Medina said it is the worst political crime the city has ever seen. 'It was a direct hit towards democracy,' said APD Chief Harold Medina. After Solomon Peña lost his bid running on the Republican ticket for state representative in 2022, he led a series of shootings targeting democratic political figures. Demetrio Trujillo was one of the men Peña recruited, along with his son, Jose Louise Trujillo. The four victims over five weeks included Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, then incoming Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, then Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O'Malley, and State Senator Linda Lopez. All four had their homes peppered with bullets. Chief Medina said it left the community in fear. 'It was shocking just to think that during our political process, during our election process, that something like this could happen as a result of somebody losing an election,' said Chief Medina. In federal court, Demetrio Trujillo's attorney went before the judge saying his client has 'always been remorseful.' Trujillo gave an emotional statement, apologizing to the victims, saying once he heard bullets had struck a child's room, it 'opened his eyes' to the situation and prompted him to confess. Trujillo added he's not a monster or a killer. Trujillo closed his statement saying it was a bad decision he made because he loved his son. 'I'm glad that the individual stated that he was sorry and that he wishes that he hadn't done this, but it's sad that it takes the fact that you're in federal court on the verge of being sentenced,' said Chief Medina. Senator Linda Lopez told the courtroom how her family's lives were 'forever changed,' saying they can't enjoy fireworks and get nervous when someone walks by their home. Diana Martinez, the wife of Speaker Martinez, teared up when giving her statement, saying although she doesn't excuse what he did, she does forgive him. 'They showed compassion, and they showed understanding and forgiveness, and it was a great day for us in Albuquerque,' said Chief Medina. Demetrio Trujillo faced up to life in prison, but was sentenced to fifteen years. Trujillo's son, Jose Louise Trujillo, also pled guilty but has yet to be sentenced. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
