Solomon Peña sentenced to 80 years

A former candidate in New Mexico was given an 80-year federal prison term for a string of drive-by shootings aimed at four Democratic lawmakers in Albuquerque after the 2020 election.

Solomon Peña sentenced to 80 years for shootings at lawmakers' homes

Solomon Peña, a former Republican candidate in New Mexico, was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy, weapons offenses and related charges tied to a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials in Albuquerque in December 2022 and January 2023. No one was injured, but bullets pierced the bedroom of a state senator's 10-year-old daughter. Peña's lawyers argued he is innocent, while prosecutors had sought a 90-year term.

Two men who helped Peña with the attacks pleaded guilty earlier and received lengthy prison terms after cooperation deals. Prosecutors said Peña believed the 2020 election was rigged and used violence to push political change. The case comes amid a wider national rise in threats against election workers and public officials in the wake of the election.

The sentence lands at a moment when political violence is a live issue in public life. It signals that authorities are willing to impose severe penalties to deter intimidation aimed at suppressing participation in democracy. The case also illustrates how prosecutors build cases with accomplices who cooperate, potentially widening the lens on who bears responsibility for violent acts tied to political grievances.

At the same time, the defense argues that innocence remains a central question and that the prosecution relied on the testimony of cooperating defendants. The outcome could influence future prosecutions and the way communities balance fear with civic engagement in volatile political climates.

Highlights

The case keeps the spotlight on how communities protect democracy in an era of heightened political tension.