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Shop NowIn a strange turn of events, an ex-GOP candidate has been arrested this week in connection with a string of recent shootings targeting Democratic politicians’ homes in New Mexico.
Solomon Pena will make an initial court appearance Wednesday. His charges include multiple counts of shooting at a home and shooting from a motor vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
WATCH: A failed Republican candidate, accused of hiring four men to shoot at the homes of local officials, appears in court for the first time since his arrest.@chucktodd: “Let's be really clear, Pena’s apparent motivation for these alleged acts of violence is based on lies.” pic.twitter.com/xZLAKg8nsL
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 19, 2023
It all began on Dec. 4, when eight rounds were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa. Police say a few days later, state Rep. Javier Martinez’s home was targeted. On Dec. 11, more than a dozen rounds were fired at the home of Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley.
The last shooting, targeted state Sen. Linda Lopez’s home. The shooting happened late at night on Jan. 3. Police said more than a dozen shots were fired. Three shots passed through the bedroom of Lopez’s sleeping 10-year-old daughter.
Police claim that Pena went along for the final drive-by. He was detained by a SWAT team Monday at a condominium building in Albuquerque.
Solomon Pena, ex-GOP candidate, paid four men to shoot at Democratic politicians' homes in New Mexico: police https://t.co/LvRcOyiE4N
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 18, 2023
Pena ran in November against incumbent state Rep. Miguel P. Garcia, the longtime Democrat representing House District 14 in the South Valley. He lost the race abysmally as he only got 26% of the vote.
This will not be the first time Pena will have spent time behind bars. The failed politician once spent nine years in prison following an arrest in April 2007 for stealing electronics and other goods from several retail stores.
He was released from prison in March 2016 and had his voting rights restored after completing five years of probation in April 2021.
