A failed GOP candidate in New Mexico was sentenced to 80 years in prison for orchestrating politically motivated shootings at the homes of Democrat officials, the Justice Department announced.

“Solomon Peña was sentenced to 960 months in prison for orchestrating a politically motivated shooting spree and plotting to murder witnesses to obstruct justice,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico announced.

“According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Solomon Peña, 42, ran for District 14 of the New Mexico House of Representatives during the November 2022 midterm elections. After his electoral defeat, Peña falsely claimed the election was rigged and began pressuring members of the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners not to certify the results,” a press release read.

“When they refused, Peña recruited Jose Trujillo and Demetrio Trujillo to carry out a series of shootings at the homes of several public officials. Peña provided cash, instructions, and addresses, and personally participated in one of the attacks. One of the shootings involved a fully automatic machine gun. Multiple rounds struck areas of the homes where children had recently been or were sleeping,” it continued.

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He was arrested in January 2023 after a tense standoff with a SWAT team and accused of hiring four men to shoot at the homes of Bernalillo County Commissioners Adriann Barboa and Debbie O’Malley and state Sens. Linda Lopez and Moe Maestas, who are all registered Democrats.

Peña was found guilty in March for recruiting a man and his son to target the Democratic officials. He was additionally convicted of trying to convince fellow inmates he was in jail with while awaiting trial to kill his codefendants.

As the “ringleader” of the operation, Peña tagged along on the final drive-by to Lopez’s, less than a day before he was nabbed by the SWAT team.

The heavily armed men opened fire on the senator’s house, sending multiple bullets flying through Lopez’s 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom window.

No injuries were reported, but Lopez testified Wednesday that her children still suffer from mental health issues spurred by the shooting, including anxiety and depression, the Source New Mexico reported.

“Violence and intimidation have no place in our elections,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison.

“The FBI is committed to protecting the American people and bringing justice to those who try to harm others and disrupt our democratic processes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell.

“We are grateful for our local and federal partners who worked tirelessly to ensure Solomon Peña is no longer a harm to the public,” Russell added.

Fox News noted:

The two men Peña contracted for the shooting spree pleaded guilty last year. Following his arrest, Peña attempted to have the pair murdered to prevent them from testifying.

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In addition to the 80 years in prison, Peña was given three years of supervised release. His lawyer said he would appeal the conviction.

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