A man from New Mexico has admitted to his involvement in a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of Democratic officials, representing a disturbing escalation of political violence in the United States. Demetrio Trujillo, aged 42 and residing in Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on Thursday after revealing that he had been hired by Solomon Pena, a failed Republican candidate, to carry out these attacks between December 2022 and January 2023. Motivated by election conspiracy theories, Pena, who had a criminal background, recruited Trujillo and his son to harm or potentially kill election and state officials in Albuquerque. Fortunately, no one was injured during the assaults.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Trujillo now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with the possibility of a life sentence, after pleading guilty to various charges, including conspiracy and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Trujillo’s son, Jose Trujillo, had previously confessed this month to assisting Pena in executing the attacks, having worked on his unsuccessful 2022 political campaign for the New Mexico House of Representatives. Jose Trujillo is also potentially subject to a life sentence.
Following his electoral defeat, Pena visited the homes of several Bernalillo County commissioners, alleging electoral fraud. He is set to stand trial in June. The proliferation of baseless claims regarding election fraud gained momentum after former President Donald Trump refused to accept his defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
These incidents in Albuquerque reflect an alarming increase in threats, intimidation, and violence targeting politicians, government officials, and, at times, their families. What sets this case apart is that it involves a Republican political candidate who allegedly masterminded and executed the shootings.
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A New Mexico man, Demetrio Trujillo, has pleaded guilty to assisting a failed Republican candidate in carrying out drive-by shootings at Democratic officials’ homes in 2022 and 2023. Trujillo admitted to being hired by candidate Solomon Pena to shoot at the homes of an election official and two elected state officials. The attacks were motivated by election conspiracy theories and aimed to harm or kill the officials. Trujillo faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, while his son, who also participated, could receive a life sentence. Pena, who alleged election fraud after losing the election, is set to stand trial in June. This incident highlights the rise of threats and intimidation against U.S. politicians and officials.
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