In a shocking development that has sent ripples through the legal community in New Mexico, former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested on April 24, 2025, following a federal raid on their Las Cruces home. The couple faces serious charges of evidence tampering, linked to allegations that they harbored Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged illegal immigrant and member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela.
The arrests stem from a wider investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which began in February when Ortega-Lopez and two other Venezuelan nationals were apprehended at the Cano residence. Court documents reveal that Ortega-Lopez had initially been hired by Nancy Cano for home repairs before being offered accommodation in the couple's guesthouse after being evicted from his apartment.
"Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang," stated Department of Homeland Security 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." This statement underscores the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration and gang activity in the region.
Investigators uncovered substantial evidence linking Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang, including gang-related clothing, tattoos, voicemails, and text messages. Notably, Ortega-Lopez unlawfully entered the U.S. on December 15, 2023, by crossing the border near Eagle Pass, Texas. He was released three days later, pending removal proceedings due to overcrowding at the Border Patrol facility.
A particularly concerning aspect of the case is the seizure of four firearms from the residence of April Cano, the couple's daughter. Ortega-Lopez was found in social media posts posing with weapons, some of which he claimed were owned by April. He now faces federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm—a serious offense that could lead to a 15-year prison sentence if convicted.
"Doña Ana County has been a hotbed of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, human smuggling for many, many years," remarked former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore. "To see that a judge would allow this to happen is very concerning. What else has the judge been doing?" This sentiment reflects the growing alarm among law enforcement and community leaders about the implications of such allegations against a judicial figure.
In the wake of these events, Joel Cano resigned from his judicial position in March 2025. On April 22, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling permanently barring him from holding any judicial office in the state. Cano's resignation was prompted by the allegations and the subsequent investigation by the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission into alleged “willful misconduct.”
In a 23-page letter submitted to the New Mexico Supreme Court, Cano vehemently denied any wrongdoing, describing the accusations as "sensationalism at the highest possible level." He stated, "The very first time I ever heard that the boys could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by [the] agents on the day of the raid."
Cano referred to the men living in his guesthouse as “the boys” and defended his decision to allow them to stay, claiming that their immigration paperwork indicated they were not subject to removal. "Their papers stated in the upper right-hand corner, ‘This Person is Not Subject to Removal.’ They each had a specific court date regarding their asylum hearing," he wrote.
Moreover, Cano emphasized that he would never have allowed his grandchildren—aged 15, 8, and 6—to be in contact with individuals he suspected of being dangerous. "There is no way in the world that I would have allowed my grandkids to have any contact with the boys if I had sensed danger," he asserted.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Joel and Nancy Cano have not been charged with any crimes related to the firearms or gang associations. However, the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission's investigation continues to loom over them, highlighting the potential for further legal repercussions.
As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions about accountability within the judiciary and the implications of harboring individuals connected to criminal organizations. "The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules," stated Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico. "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."
The Cano case exemplifies the complex issues surrounding immigration, crime, and judicial integrity in the U.S. As federal investigations continue, the community watches closely, hoping for justice and clarity in a situation that has already caused significant unrest.
Homeland Security Investigations continues to lead the case, with further developments expected as more information comes to light.
