CNN
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The failed Republican New Mexico state House candidate who’s accused of masterminding shootings at Democratic officers’ properties will stay in prison as he awaits trial, a pass judgement on dominated Monday.
Second Judicial District Court Judge David Murphy stated Solomon Peña poses a risk to the objectives of the shootings and their members of the family. He additionally pointed to Peña’s historical past of legal convictions involving assets crimes and using stolen automobiles, mirroring the ways police say have been used within the shootings in December and early January.
Prosecutor Natalie Lyon stated Peña led a crew that fired pictures into the houses of elected officers. An investigator stated Peña supplied the weapons used within the shootings, instructed using stolen vehicles to keep away from being known and used to be provide on the fourth and ultimate capturing.
Albuquerque Police Detective Conrad Griego, bringing up a confidential witness, stated Peña had complained that a minimum of probably the most shootings happened too past due at evening, with bullets fired too prime into the home – lowering the possibilities of hitting the objective.
“He’s providing the firearms. He is helping other individuals come up with a plan,” together with the use of stolen automobiles, Lyon stated.
Pena’s lawyer, Roberta Yurcic, argued that Peña used to be by no means discovered to be in ownership of a firearm, and sought to forged doubt at the credibility of the confidential witness.
The detention listening to got here per week after Peña, who misplaced a 2022 election for House District 14, used to be arrested by means of a police SWAT crew. Authorities say he employed and conspired with 4 males to shoot on the properties of 2 state legislators and two county commissioners for the reason that election – in what Albuquerque’s mayor described as politically motivated assaults.
No one used to be injured within the shootings, even if a bullet flew via a kid’s bed room whilst the kid used to be inside of.
Peña faces initial fees of felon in ownership of a firearm; tried irritated battery with a perilous weapon; legal solicitation; and 4 counts each and every of capturing at an occupied living, capturing at or from a motor car, and conspiracy, in keeping with a warrant.
He has been held with out bail since he used to be taken into custody.
“Mr. Peña and I look forward to a full and fair investigation of these claims,” Yurcic stated in a observation. “I plan to fully defend Mr. Peña and fiercely safeguard his rights throughout this process.”
False and unfounded claims about election fraud have exploded national lately and fueled anger and threats of violence in opposition to 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 used to be researching his choices.
According to Albuquerque police, Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa’s house used to be shot at more than one occasions on December 4, incoming state House Speaker Javier Martinez’s house used to be shot at on December 8, former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley’s house used to be shot at on December 11 and state Sen. Linda Lopez’s house used to be 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 stated they have been investigating whether or not Peña’s marketing campaign used to be funded partially by means of 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 indexed his profession as “cashier,” used to be arrested on January 3 – the evening of the ultimate of 4 shootings – on an impressive legal warrant.
A Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy discovered him with greater than $3,000 in money, just about 900 narcotics capsules price kind of $15,000 and two weapons, one in every of which used to be ballistically matched to that day’s capturing, police stated. He used to be stopped riding Peña’s automotive, stated a legislation enforcement authentic who spoke at the situation of anonymity since the investigation is ongoing.
Attempts to succeed in legal professionals for the Trujillos weren’t a success.
Peña up to now served virtually seven years in jail after a 2008 conviction for stealing a big quantity of products in a “smash and grab scheme,” CNN associate KOAT reported.
