Solomon Peña Accused of Shootings at New Mexico Lawmakers Facing Additional Federal Charges

Solomon Peña, the man accused of orchestrating shootings at lawmakers’ homes, in Albaquerque is facing aadditional federal charges for allegedly trying to have a witness killed. A federal grand jury on Tuesday returned a superseding indictment against Peña. Charges include three counts of solicitation for allegedly trying to have witnesses killed three times. The dates range from June 2023 to February 2024.

In a release from the US Department of Justice itstated that, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment yesterday bringing new charges against Solomon Peña for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and three counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence. The original charges arise from shootings at the homes of four elected officials between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023.

The superseding indictment alleges that Peña solicited others to kill or attempt to kill a witness with the intent to prevent that witness’s attendance and testimony in an official proceeding. Additionally, Peña is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Peña allegedly organized the shootings at the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two New Mexico state legislators after his November 2022 electoral defeat. The shootings, one of which involved a machine gun, were carried out with assistance from co-defendants Demetrio Trujillo and his son, Jose Trujillo.

On Jan. 8, 2024, Jose Louise Trujillo pled guilty to conspiracy, interference with federally protected activities, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, discharging said firearm, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Jose was detained pending sentencing, which is currently scheduled for May 22, 2024.

On Feb. 2, 2024, Demetrio Trujillo pled guilty to conspiracy, two counts of interference with federally protected activities, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and discharging said firearm. Demetrio was detained pending sentencing, which is currently scheduled for Aug. 6, 2024.

If convicted of the new charges, Peña faces up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Peña and Patrick E. Cordova for the District of New Mexico and Trial Attorney Ryan Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

Peña is accused of paying father and son duo Demetrio and Jose Trujillo to attack the homes of four Democratic state lawmakers. This happened after Peña lost his Republican bid for the New Mexico House of Representatives.

The father and son duo both took plea deals on several felony charges. There is no word on if their plea conditions required them to testify against Peña.

View the Superseding Indictment

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