Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested Thursday following a federal raid on their Las Cruces residence.
The couple is facing criminal charges related to evidence tampering in connection with their alleged role in harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national suspected of membership in the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
Federal investigators allege that Ortega-Lopez, who entered the United States illegally in December 2023, was given housing by the Canos at their home.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
According to court filings, Ortega-Lopez was first hired by Nancy Cano for home repair work.
He was later offered lodging in the family’s guesthouse, where authorities say he resided until his apprehension earlier this year.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement Thursday confirming the federal government’s ongoing efforts to detain and prosecute gang-affiliated illegal aliens.
“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Noem said.
“If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
Ortega-Lopez was initially taken into custody in February at the Cano residence.
ICE HSI special agents arrested 3 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members for alien in possession of a firearm charges & seized 4 firearms. @USBPChiefEPT @ATFPhoenix @FBIAlbuquerque & DEA-El Paso LAS Cruces PD pic.twitter.com/9vcfhX553B
— HSI El Paso (@HSIElPaso) February 28, 2025
During the investigation, federal agents recovered multiple items linking him to Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization with origins in Venezuela.
Evidence included gang-related clothing, tattoos, voicemails, and digital communications, according to court records.
Records show Ortega-Lopez illegally crossed into the United States on December 15, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas.
He was not processed through lawful immigration channels and was released on December 18 due to overcrowding at a Border Patrol facility.
He was issued a Notice to Appear in immigration court under the Immigration and Nationality Act, initiating formal removal proceedings.
The case escalated when law enforcement authorities discovered four firearms at the home of the Canos’ daughter, April Cano.
Investigators tied the weapons to social media images showing Ortega-Lopez posing with guns, some of which he reportedly claimed were owned by April.
He now faces federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5), which prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms. If convicted, Ortega-Lopez could serve up to 15 years in federal prison.
“This is a serious national security issue,” said former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore in a statement to WPMI.
“Doña Ana County has been a hotbed of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, human smuggling for many, many years. To see that a judge would allow this to happen—it’s very concerning. What else has the judge been doing?”
Judge Joel Cano resigned from his position in March, shortly before the state’s high court issued its own disciplinary ruling.
“WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE MORE LOYAL TO FOREIGN TERR*RIST THAN TO AMERICAN CITIZENS”
New Mexico Democrat judge resigned after ICE arrested an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member living in his home
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano allowed illegal Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, to… pic.twitter.com/fBHP6yXgRQ
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) April 21, 2025
On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court formally barred Cano from ever holding judicial office in the state again.
Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, criticized the case in comments to the Las Cruces Sun-News. “The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules,” Barela said.
“We demand real accountability for Judge Cano’s connection to a gang-affiliated criminal and full transparency on how our judiciary is being held to the same laws as the rest of us. Enough is enough.”
Homeland Security Investigations continues to lead the case, with updates being reported by KFOX as the investigation develops.
Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs
![NYC Tourist Helicopter Falls into Hudson River, Siemens Executive and Family Among Those Killed [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NYC-Tourist-Helicopter-Falls-into-Hudson-River-Siemens-Executive-and-350x250.jpg)
![Green Day’s Cringe Trump Diss Ends in Fire and Evacuation [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Green-Days-Cringe-Trump-Diss-Ends-in-Fire-and-Evacuation-350x250.jpg)
![Red Sox Fan Makes the ‘Catch of the Day’ with Unconventional ‘Glove’ [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Red-Sox-Fan-Makes-the-‘Catch-of-the-Day-with-350x250.jpg)
