CNN
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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 costs, the Bernalillo County District Lawyer’s workplace introduced in a press release Monday.
Solomon Peña is presently 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 Home 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 machine by sure individuals, amongst different costs, the district legal professional’s workplace stated.
CNN has reached out to Peña’s legal professional for remark.
After dropping 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 response to police.
In accordance with Albuquerque police, Democratic officers whose properties had been shot at included Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, newly put in state Home Speaker Javier Martinez, and State Sen. Linda Lopez, amongst others.
Nobody was injured in any of the shootings, which included no less than one bullet flying by means of a baby’s bed room whereas she was inside, police have stated.
A decide dominated final week that Peña should stay in jail as he awaits trial, saying Peña poses a menace to the targets of the shootings and their members of the family. Peña additionally has a historical past of felony convictions involving property crimes and using stolen autos, mirroring the techniques police say had been used within the shootings in December and early January, the decide identified.
Peña offered the weapons used within the shootings and steered using stolen automobiles to keep away from being recognized and was current on the fourth and last taking pictures, an investigator stated ultimately week’s detention listening to.
Albuquerque Police Detective Conrad Griego, citing a confidential witness, alleged that Peña had complained that no less than one of many shootings occurred too late at night time and bullets had been fired too excessive into the home, lowering the possibilities of hitting the goal.
“He’s offering the firearms. He’s serving to different people provide you with a plan,” together with utilizing stolen autos, Prosecutor Natalie Lyon stated.
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 “by no means conceded” the race and was researching his choices.
In accordance with Albuquerque police, Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa’s dwelling was shot at a number of occasions on December 4, incoming state Home 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. In accordance with a relative, Demetrio is José’s father.
“There’s possible trigger to consider that quickly after this unsuccessful marketing campaign, he (Peña) conspired with Demetrio, José, and two brothers, to commit these 4 shootings at elected native and state authorities officers’ properties,” Albuquerque police wrote within the affidavit. “Solomon offered firearms and money funds and personally participated in no less than one taking pictures.”
Albuquerque police stated they had been investigating whether or not Peña’s marketing campaign was funded partially by money from narcotics gross sales that had 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 night time 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, practically 900 narcotics drugs price roughly $15,000 and two weapons, one among which was ballistically matched to that day’s taking pictures, police stated. He was stopped driving Peña’s automotive, stated a legislation enforcement official who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of the investigation is ongoing.
Makes an attempt 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 seize scheme,” CNN affiliate KOAT reported.