Mahaz News
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The failed GOP candidate accused of taking pictures at Democratic officers’ properties in Alburquerque, New Mexico, was indicted by a grand jury on 14 counts of taking pictures and firearms expenses, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s workplace introduced in a press release Monday.
Solomon Peña is at present in jail awaiting trial after being accused of hiring and conspiring with 4 males to shoot on the properties of two state legislators and two county commissioners following his 2022 state House election loss, as a GOP candidate, in New Mexico.
Peña was charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit taking pictures at a dwelling or occupied constructing, two counts of conspiracy to commit taking pictures at a dwelling or occupied constructing and two counts of transportation or possession of a firearm or harmful system by sure individuals, amongst different expenses, the district legal professional’s workplace mentioned.
Mahaz News has reached out to Peña’s legal professional for remark.
After shedding the November election 26% to 74% to the Democratic candidate and earlier than the shootings, Peña confirmed up uninvited on the properties of a legislator and a few county commissioners, claiming fraud had been dedicated within the vote, in keeping with police.
According to Albuquerque police, Democratic officers whose properties have been shot at included Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, newly put in state House Speaker Javier Martinez, and State Sen. Linda Lopez, amongst others.
No one was injured in any of the shootings, which included not less than one bullet flying by means of a baby’s bed room whereas she was inside, police have mentioned.
A choose dominated final week that Peña should stay in jail as he awaits trial, saying Peña poses a risk to the targets of the shootings and their relations. Peña additionally has a historical past of felony convictions involving property crimes and the usage of stolen automobiles, mirroring the ways police say have been used within the shootings in December and early January, the choose identified.
Peña supplied the weapons used within the shootings and instructed the usage of stolen vehicles to keep away from being recognized and was current on the fourth and last taking pictures, an investigator mentioned finally week’s detention listening to.
Albuquerque Police Detective Conrad Griego, citing a confidential witness, alleged that Peña had complained that not less than one of many shootings occurred too late at evening and bullets have been fired too excessive into the home, reducing the possibilities of hitting the goal.
“He’s providing the firearms. He is helping other individuals come up with a plan,” together with utilizing stolen automobiles, Prosecutor Natalie Lyon mentioned.
Pena’s legal professional, Roberta Yurcic, argued that Peña was by no means discovered to be in possession of a firearm, and sought to solid doubt on the credibility of the confidential witness.
False and unfounded claims about election fraud have exploded nationwide lately and fueled anger and threats of violence towards elected officers – even in native politics.
Peña misplaced his race to Democratic state Rep. Miguel Garcia 26% to 74% on November 8, 2022. Every week later, he tweeted he “never conceded” the race and was researching his choices.
According to Albuquerque police, Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa’s dwelling was shot at a number of occasions on December 4, incoming state House Speaker Javier Martinez’s dwelling was shot at on December 8, former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley’s dwelling was shot at on December 11 and state Sen. Linda Lopez’s dwelling was shot at on January 3.
Peña’s arrest warrant affidavit identifies two of the alleged co-conspirators as Demetrio Trujillo and José Trujillo. According to a relative, Demetrio is José’s father.
“There is probable cause to believe that soon after this unsuccessful campaign, he (Peña) conspired with Demetrio, José, and two brothers, to commit these four shootings at elected local and state government officials’ homes,” Albuquerque police wrote within the affidavit. “Solomon provided firearms and cash payments and personally participated in at least one shooting.”
Albuquerque police mentioned they have been investigating whether or not Peña’s marketing campaign was funded partially by money from narcotics gross sales that have been laundered into marketing campaign contributions.
Police say José Trujillo, who donated $5,155 to Peña’s failed marketing campaign and listed his occupation as “cashier,” was arrested on January 3 – the evening of the final of 4 shootings – on an impressive felony warrant.
A Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy discovered him with greater than $3,000 in money, almost 900 narcotics tablets value roughly $15,000 and two weapons, one in all which was ballistically matched to that day’s taking pictures, police mentioned. He was stopped driving Peña’s automobile, mentioned a legislation enforcement official who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of the investigation is ongoing.
Attempts to succeed in attorneys for the Trujillos weren’t profitable.
Peña beforehand served nearly seven years in jail after a 2008 conviction for stealing a big quantity of products in a “smash and grab scheme,” Mahaz News affiliate KOAT reported.
Source web site: www.cnn.com
