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A failed New Mexico political candidate accused in shootings at Democratic state and native lawmakers’ properties and companies has been indicted on 14 felony counts, the district lawyer mentioned Monday.
A grand jury indicted Solomon Pena, 39, on counts that embody capturing at an occupied dwelling, conspiracy and aggravated battery with a lethal weapon, the Bernalillo County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned in an announcement.
Albuquerque police arrested Pena on Jan. 16, greater than a month after pictures have been fired on the house of a county commissioner on Dec. 4, officers have mentioned.
Pena ran as a Republican for a state Home seat however misplaced to incumbent Democrat Miguel P. Garcia by 5,679 to 2,033, or 74% to 26%.
Albuquerque police have mentioned Pena believed the election had been “rigged.” He had taken his complaints to a number of the officers whose properties have been later struck by gunfire, to no avail, police mentioned.
Pena is accused of hiring 4 individuals within the scheme to shoot on the officers’ properties or companies. Police have mentioned that Pena participated in at the very least one of many shootings however that his weapon, described as an AR handgun, jammed.
The grand jury indicted Pena on three counts of felony solicitation to commit a capturing at a dwelling, 4 counts of capturing at a dwelling, two counts of conspiracy, two counts of unlawfully taking a motorized vehicle, making an attempt to commit aggravated battery with a lethal weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm by sure individuals.
Pena is a felon who’s prohibited from possessing firearms, officers have mentioned.
Pena was initially arrested on fees that included being a felon in possession of a firearm and capturing at an occupied dwelling.
He was ordered held with out bond at a court docket listening to this month.
Pena’s lawyer has raised questions in regards to the credibility of a confidential witness who shared data with investigators within the case and has mentioned that Pena doesn’t have a violent historical past and that he had been turning his life round.
The Related Press contributed.