A failed political candidate was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison on Wednesday for his involvement in a string of drive-by shootings at state and local lawmakers’ residences in Albuquerque following the 2020 election, according to the Associated Press.
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Earlier this year, a jury found former Republican candidate Solomon Pe guilty of conspiracy, possession of weapons, and other offenses related to the December 2022 and January 2023 gunshots at the residences of four Democratic officials, including the current speaker of the state House.
According to the prosecution, who had requested a 90-year sentence, Pea had not shown regret and had intended to bring about political change by frightening those who disagreed with him into being too scared to participate in political life.
Pe’s attorneys had requested a five-year term, stating that their client is adamant about his innocence. They have stated that prosecutors were depending on the testimony of two guys who accepted plea deals in exchange for leniency and who admitted that Pe A was not involved in the shootings.
According to Nicholas Hart, one of Pe’s lawyers, today was an essential step in his ongoing battle to establish his innocence. He eagerly awaits the chance to appeal, which will allow him to raise important questions regarding the legality of this case.
President Donald Trump and his supporters questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election, which sparked a nationwide spike in threats and intimidation against election workers and public officials.
According to the prosecution, Pea turned to violence because he thought he had lost his ambition to serve in the state legislature due to a rigged election.
Following their certification of the 2022 election, which Pea lost by almost 50 percentage points, the shootings targeted the residences of authorities, including two county commissioners. In one instance, bullets went through the bedroom of a state senator’s 10-year-old daughter, but no one was hurt.
Prior to this, two other individuals who admitted to aiding Pea in the attacks had entered guilty pleas to federal crimes and been sentenced to years in jail.
