Demetrio Trujillo, a New Mexico resident, admitted guilt on Thursday for his role in a series of drive-by shootings targeting the homes of Democratic officials in 2022 and 2023.
Tasked by defeated candidate Solomon Pena, Trujillo participated in a campaign fueled by election conspiracy theories, aiming to harm officials and instigate fear. The attacks, unprecedented in their nature, underline a disturbing escalation of political violence in the U.S.
Solomon Pena, after losing the election, intensified his conspiracy claims by orchestrating attacks on the homes of election officials. Pena had earlier recruited Trujillo and his son, Jose Trujillo, who also pleaded guilty to his involvement in the attacks. The violent incidents came after Pena’s defeat and subsequent allegations of election rigging against Bernalillo County commissioners.
Demetrio Trujillo now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum life sentence after pleading guilty to charges such as conspiracy and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. His son, Jose Trujillo, also faces a potential life sentence.
These events underscore the alarming rise in threats and violence against U.S. politicians, driven by false claims of election fraud. Solomon Pena’s trial in June is anticipated to shed light on the broader implications of such politically motivated violence.
