ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The man who orchestrated the shootings at the homes of elected officials could spend the rest of his life in prison. Solomon Pena is expected to be sentenced next week. Two years ago, he was forcibly removed from his downtown Albuquerque condo. However, his new home will likely be a federal prison cell for the next 90 years.
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The attacks took place in December 2022 and January 2023 at the residences of four elected officials: county commissioners Adrian Barboa and Debbie O’Malley, New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez, and State Senator Linda Lopez.
Pena hired Jose and Demetrio Trujillo to assist in carrying out the shootings and even participated in at least one incident himself, firing a gun. According to federal documents, Pena maintained a list of “dozens” of potential targets, and the violent threats extended beyond the initial shootings. Federal court records indicate that Pena also offered fellow inmates $10,000 to have the Trujillos killed after they accepted plea deals to testify against him in court.
Pena pleaded not guilty to 13 federal charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was convicted in March. For these serious charges, he is facing a potential sentence of up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 60 years for the most severe offenses.
Pena’s co-conspirators were sentenced back in March. Jose Trujillo will spend just over three years in prison. Demetrio Truillo will spend 15 years.
Pena will be sentenced on August 13.
