On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Fox News reported that former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested after a federal raid on their home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The couple faces serious allegations related to the harboring of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an individual believed to be an illegal immigrant and a member of the Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua.
The arrests took place following an investigation that revealed evidence of evidence tampering. According to federal authorities, Ortega-Lopez had been staying at the Cano residence after being employed by Nancy Cano for home repairs. He was initially apprehended at their home in February, raising suspicions about the couple’s involvement with him.
Documents filed in court indicate that Ortega-Lopez entered the United States unlawfully on December 15, 2023, crossing the border near Eagle Pass, Texas, without proper inspection or authorization. He was released three days later, pending removal proceedings due to the overcrowded conditions at the Border Patrol facility. At that time, he received a Notice to Appear, which initiated formal immigration proceedings against him.
Federal investigators later discovered various items linking Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang. This included gang-related clothing, tattoos, and a series of communications, such as voicemails and text messages. The investigation also led to the seizure of four firearms from the home of April Cano, the couple’s daughter. Reports indicated that Ortega-Lopez was active on social media, posing with weapons, some of which he claimed belonged to April.
Ortega-Lopez now faces federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, which is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5). If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang. 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 Cano couple’s legal troubles have raised significant concerns within the community. Former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore remarked on the troubling implications of a judge allegedly allowing such activities to occur, stating, “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 is very concerning.”
In light of these developments, Judge Cano resigned from his position in March, and the New Mexico Supreme Court has since issued a ruling permanently barring him from holding any judicial office within the state. This ruling highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the judiciary’s integrity in relation to the legal system.
Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, voiced the community’s frustration, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in the judicial system. She stated, “The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules. 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.”
Source: Fox News
