On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Albuquerque Journal reported that Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano has resigned from his position after a federal arrest took place at his home. Cano, who has served on the bench since 2011, submitted his resignation letter on March 3, although it did not specify the reasons for his departure. The timing of his resignation coincided with the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old man awaiting deportation proceedings, accused of having ties to a Venezuelan gang.

Ortega-Lopez was taken into custody following a search warrant executed by Homeland Security Investigations at a Las Cruces property owned by Cano and his wife, Nancy. He faces federal firearm charges, with authorities labeling him a flight risk and a potential danger to the community due to his alleged criminal background, which includes connections to the Tren de Aragua gang.

In documents filed in federal court, prosecutors revealed that agents discovered four firearms at a neighboring residence owned by April Cano, identified as Nancy Cano’s daughter. A criminal complaint alleges that Ortega-Lopez acknowledged possessing and firing these weapons, as evidenced by social media posts from December.

Cano’s resignation letter expressed gratitude to his colleagues, stating it had been a rewarding experience. His final day on the bench was recorded as March 21, coinciding with his last scheduled court hearings. Cano, a Democrat and former police officer, was initially elected as a magistrate judge in 2010 and had run unopposed in subsequent elections, including his fourth term secured in 2022.

Details surrounding Ortega-Lopez’s arrest and his relationship with the Cano family have emerged in federal motions. Court filings indicate that Ortega-Lopez had previously entered the U.S. by climbing a barbed-wire fence near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was released on humanitarian parole after three days in Border Patrol custody due to overcrowding at the processing center.

Following his release, Ortega-Lopez moved to El Paso, where he met Nancy Cano while working on construction and handyman tasks. He subsequently accepted her offer to stay in a small dwelling behind her home. In April 2024, he submitted a request for immigration relief, listing the Las Cruces address as his residence.

Prosecutors have alleged that Ortega-Lopez was introduced to April Cano, who reportedly owned numerous firearms and permitted him to handle and fire various weapons. Federal court exhibits include a social media image of Ortega-Lopez posing with Judge Cano.

At a detention hearing on March 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Damian Martinez initially leaned toward releasing Ortega-Lopez, prompting an immediate appeal from the prosecution. During the appeal, Martinez was quoted expressing doubt that Judge Cano would allow just anyone to reside on his property. The appeal also mentioned that Martinez requested an assessment of whether Nancy Cano could serve as Ortega-Lopez’s third-party custodian, despite the incident occurring at her residence.

As of now, Ortega-Lopez remains in custody without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center, awaiting a further detention hearing. The case continues to unfold as federal authorities investigate the connections between the Cano family and Ortega-Lopez.

 

 

Source: Albuquerque Journal