Latest news with #JavierMartinez
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Solomon Pena jailed over gun attacks on Dems' homes in New Mexico
"Violence and intimidation have no place in our elections," said Ryan Ellison, the U.S. Attorney for New Mexico. "This sentence shows that through the tireless work of our agents and prosecutors, we will protect our democracy and bring offenders to justice." Accomplices Jose Trujillo and Demetrio Trujillo pleaded guilty last year on similar charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. They were sentenced to a collective 18 years in prison. While in custody, Pena tried offering fellow inmates money and a vehicle in exchange for killing the pair, federal officials said. An attorney for Pena did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. "Across the country, we have seen a disturbing uptick in politically-motivated violence over the last several years," State Representative Javier Martinez, one of the targeted lawmakers, told USA TODAY in a statement. "Every single elected leader, regardless of the office we hold or the party we belong to, must speak up against this violence and the dangerous misinformation that fuels it." What did Solomon Pena do? Pena ran during the 2022 midterm elections for a New Mexico House of Representatives seat covering parts of Albuquerque. He lost to the Democratic incumbent Miguel P. Garcia, with around 2,000 votes to Garcia's 5,700, according to the state election results. Pena attempted to pressure the county board of commissioners to refuse to certify the election results, and when that failed, he turned to violence, prosecutors said. He orchestrated attacks on Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, New Mexico state Representative Javier Martinez, former Bernalillo County Commissioner, New Mexico state Senator Debbie O'Malley, and New Mexico state Senator Linda Lopez. All are Democrats. The attacks occurred between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023. The bullets fired in the assaults hit houses, cars, and even passed inside the bedroom of a 10-year-old girl, according to court filings and statements from police. Barboa previously told USA TODAY that she laid blame for the attack on President Donald Trump. "People don't think that voice from the White House will reach all the way down to someone like Solomon Pena, but it does," Barboa said, recalling seeing the damage done by the bullets that whizzed through her living room and kitchen. "That year, for the whole entire year, we had election deniers coming to every meeting." Related: Court papers reveal details on former Republican candidate linked to shootings at New Mexico lawmakers' homes Political attacks in the U.S. Pena's sentencing comes amid a year that's seen deadly attacks against politicians. Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman were assassinated at their home in June. Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were also attacked the same night at their home. Vance Boelter, 57, has been charged in connection with the attacks. In May, Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed in Washington, D.C. Elias Rodriguez, 31, has been charged with their murders as well as with a hate crime resulting in death motivated by the "actual and perceived national origin of any person." Staffers Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, were about to be engaged to be married. Contributing: Reuters
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man accused of trying to cash forged check felt he was doing something ‘shady and ‘wrong': HCSO
The Brief A Florida man is accused of trying to cash a fraudulent check in Hernando County. Deputies said the check belonged to someone in Georgia who just opened a new checking account and hadn't received checks yet. According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, additional arrests are pending further investigation. SPRING HILL, Fla. - A Florida man is accused of trying to cash a fraudulent check in Hernando County and more suspects may be facing charges. The backstory Hernando County deputies say they went to the Cadence Bank located at 14211 Powell Road shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday because Javier Martinez was trying to cash a fraudulent check. According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, a teller at the bank contacted the owner of the checking account, who lives in Georgia. The account owner said that it was a new checking account and had yet to receive any checks in the mail. READ:Florida grandmother sentenced to prison for baby's hot car death Upon arriving at the bank, deputies arrested Martinez. Dig deeper While investigating, deputies said the bank discovered additional fraudulent checks from the victim's account were cashed or attempted to be cashed at other bank branches in other counties. These checks were cashed by unknown suspects other than Martinez, according to HCSO. READ: 2025 Atlantic hurricane season brings elevated risk of major landfalls, experts predict According to detectives, Martinez was dropped off near the bank by an unknown suspect he knows as "Juan's girlfriend" from Clewiston. Martinez told detectives the female was driving a white Toyota sedan. Martinez further advised that by attempting to cash the check, he felt he was doing something "shady and wrong." Deputies said Martinez told them that he was to be paid a percentage of the check in exchange for cashing the check. Martinez was arrested on one count of uttering a forged check. What's next According to HCSO, additional arrests are pending further investigation. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-8477 or **TIPS from a cell phone. Tipsters will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. The Source This story was written with information provided by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
The Independent
23-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Fatal shooting in New Mexico park casts pall over Legislature and its ability to contain crime
Efforts by New Mexico lawmakers to contain violent crime took center stage Saturday at the conclusion of an annual legislative session — just hours after three people were killed and 15 injured in an outburst of gunfire at a public park in Las Cruces. The events transformed an ordinarily celebratory day for legislators at the close of a 60-day session into a somber affair. 'This tragedy reminds us that it's going to take all of us to continue to come together to address these senseless acts of violence,' said Democratic House Speaker Javier Martinez of Albuquerque. Republicans legislators in the legislative minority said the state is in crisis and urged Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to exercise her authority to bring the legislators back to the Capitol to seek solutions to violent crime. Lujan Grisham said she was considering it, amid feelings of anger and disappointment. 'I cannot ignore that we failed to adequately address the public safety crisis in our state,' Lujan Grisham said in a statement. At the same time, legislators have delivered an array of crime-related bills to the governor that aim to enhance criminal penalties, expand the state's authority to prosecute organized crime and provide new precautions when criminal defendants are deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. A bill won legislative approval on a 38-0 Senate vote this week that would expand the state's racketeering law to address activity ranging from human trafficking to smuggling contraband into prisons and cock fighting. Lujan Grisham said she lobbied legislators aggressively to deliver the bill. A public safety law signed by the governor in February included enhanced penalties for mass-shooting threats, fentanyl trafficking and repeated vehicle thefts, while also banning devices — such as the Glock switch — that convert guns into automatic weapons. Lawmakers overhauled the state's red-flag gun law, under which firearms may be temporarily removed from people who may pose a danger. The update explicitly authorizes police officers to file petitions and removes a 48-hour waiting period for firearm relinquishment. Legislators also sent the governor bills that establish a trust fund to underwrite an expansion of addiction and mental health services, while identifying gaps in the system. Legislators are grappling with public concern about not only crime but also the proliferation of homeless encampments in New Mexico. Beyond New Mexico, a tough-on-crime approach is back in political favor, with Republicans and Democrats alike promoting new law enforcement initiatives in state capitols. Nationwide, nearly 8 in 10 voters in the U.S. said they were 'very' or 'somewhat' concerned about crime in their own communities, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters conducted during the fall election. The percentage saying they were very concerned was higher than the national rate in New Mexico and several other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and California.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fatal shooting in New Mexico park casts pall over Legislature and its ability to contain crime
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Efforts by New Mexico lawmakers to contain violent crime took center stage Saturday at the conclusion of an annual legislative session — just hours after three people were killed and 15 injured in an outburst of gunfire at a public park in Las Cruces. The events transformed an ordinarily celebratory day for legislators at the close of a 60-day session into a somber affair. 'This tragedy reminds us that it's going to take all of us to continue to come together to address these senseless acts of violence,' said Democratic House Speaker Javier Martinez of Albuquerque. Republicans legislators in the legislative minority said the state is in crisis and urged Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to exercise her authority to bring the legislators back to the Capitol to seek solutions to violent crime. Lujan Grisham said she was considering it, amid feelings of anger and disappointment. 'I cannot ignore that we failed to adequately address the public safety crisis in our state,' Lujan Grisham said in a statement. At the same time, legislators have delivered an array of crime-related bills to the governor that aim to enhance criminal penalties, expand the state's authority to prosecute organized crime and provide new precautions when criminal defendants are deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. A bill won legislative approval on a 38-0 Senate vote this week that would expand the state's racketeering law to address activity ranging from human trafficking to smuggling contraband into prisons and cock fighting. Lujan Grisham said she lobbied legislators aggressively to deliver the bill. A public safety law signed by the governor in February included enhanced penalties for mass-shooting threats, fentanyl trafficking and repeated vehicle thefts, while also banning devices — such as the Glock switch — that convert guns into automatic weapons. Lawmakers overhauled the state's red-flag gun law, under which firearms may be temporarily removed from people who may pose a danger. The update explicitly authorizes police officers to file petitions and removes a 48-hour waiting period for firearm relinquishment. Legislators also sent the governor bills that establish a trust fund to underwrite an expansion of addiction and mental health services, while identifying gaps in the system. Legislators are grappling with public concern about not only crime but also the proliferation of homeless encampments in New Mexico. Beyond New Mexico, a tough-on-crime approach is back in political favor, with Republicans and Democrats alike promoting new law enforcement initiatives in state capitols. Nationwide, nearly 8 in 10 voters in the U.S. said they were 'very' or 'somewhat' concerned about crime in their own communities, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters conducted during the fall election. The percentage saying they were very concerned was higher than the national rate in New Mexico and several other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and California.
Associated Press
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Fatal shooting in New Mexico park casts pall over Legislature and its ability to contain crime
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Efforts by New Mexico lawmakers to contain violent crime took center stage Saturday at the conclusion of an annual legislative session — just hours after three people were killed and 15 injured in an outburst of gunfire at a public park in Las Cruces. The events transformed an ordinarily celebratory day for legislators at the close of a 60-day session into a somber affair. 'This tragedy reminds us that it's going to take all of us to continue to come together to address these senseless acts of violence,' said Democratic House Speaker Javier Martinez of Albuquerque. Republicans legislators in the legislative minority said the state is in crisis and urged Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to exercise her authority to bring the legislators back to the Capitol to seek solutions to violent crime. Lujan Grisham said she was considering it, amid feelings of anger and disappointment. 'I cannot ignore that we failed to adequately address the public safety crisis in our state,' Lujan Grisham said in a statement. At the same time, legislators have delivered an array of crime-related bills to the governor that aim to enhance criminal penalties, expand the state's authority to prosecute organized crime and provide new precautions when criminal defendants are deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. A bill won legislative approval on a 38-0 Senate vote this week that would expand the state's racketeering law to address activity ranging from human trafficking to smuggling contraband into prisons and cock fighting. Lujan Grisham said she lobbied legislators aggressively to deliver the bill. A public safety law signed by the governor in February included enhanced penalties for mass-shooting threats, fentanyl trafficking and repeated vehicle thefts, while also banning devices — such as the Glock switch — that convert guns into automatic weapons. Lawmakers overhauled the state's red-flag gun law, under which firearms may be temporarily removed from people who may pose a danger. The update explicitly authorizes police officers to file petitions and removes a 48-hour waiting period for firearm relinquishment. Legislators also sent the governor bills that establish a trust fund to underwrite an expansion of addiction and mental health services, while identifying gaps in the system. Legislators are grappling with public concern about not only crime but also the proliferation of homeless encampments in New Mexico. Beyond New Mexico, a tough-on-crime approach is back in political favor, with Republicans and Democrats alike promoting new law enforcement initiatives in state capitols. Nationwide, nearly 8 in 10 voters in the U.S. said they were 'very' or 'somewhat' concerned about crime in their own communities, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters conducted during the fall election. The percentage saying they were very concerned was higher than the national rate in New Mexico and several other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and California.
