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From Fox News: Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody Thursday after federal agents raided their Las Cruces home.
The two face charges of evidence tampering amid allegations they harbored Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged illegal alien who is also believed to be a member of Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”
The arrest follows a February incident where Ortega-Lopez was apprehended at the Cano residence. Court documents reveal that he was initially hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs and later offered accommodation in the couple’s guesthouse.
Cano, a former police officer, submitted his resignation letter last month, and his last day as a judge was March 21. On Tuesday the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling permanently banning him from holding any judicial office in the state.
Since his resignation, details emerged that Judge Cano was allowing multiple illegal aliens to stay in a cabin on his property, knew they possessed weapons, and even socialized with them. Cano had also allowed Ortega-Lopez to use his home address while filing a request for immigration relief.
Ortega-Lopez, who has a criminal history and alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua Venezuelan gang, entered the U.S. illegally on Dec. 15, 2023 by jumping over a barbed wire fence near Eagle Pass, Texas. Border Patrol held Ortega-Lopez in custody for three days, but then released him on a “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowding of the detention facility.
Ortega-Lopez first went to El Paso, then later ended up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He then met Nancy Cano while doing construction and handyman jobs, and accepted her offer to stay in the guest cabin behind their home.
Judge and Nancy Cano’s daughter, April Cano, reportedly lives in a neighboring residence and owned multiple weapons. Ortega-Lopez admitted to possessing and firing the weapons, and even posted photos and videos on Facebook.
According to a report by Breitbart, Ortega-Lopez had TdA tattoos on his body, and images from his cell phone showed multiple graphic images of decapitated and mutilated bodies.
NEW: Democrat Judge from New Mexico Abruptly Resigns After Suspected Tren de Aragua Gang Member Is Arrested for Firearm Possession at His Residence
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation in March.
In February, HSI Venezuelan national El Paso… pic.twitter.com/w0QG5WW5mm
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) April 19, 2025
JUST IN: New Mexico judge Joel Cano and his wife have been arrested after they were caught housing an alleged Tren de Aragua member.
Cano recently resigned after authorities arrested 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.
“The home of a former judge in Las Cruces was raided… pic.twitter.com/RjoZVD7LrA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 24, 2025
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 25, 2025
NEWS ALERT: Judge quietly resigns after alleged TdA gang member arrested on his property
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