A former New Mexico judge and his wife have been arrested for allegedly harboring a dangerous Venezuelan gang member after federal authorities raided their property and discovered weapons and multiple undocumented immigrants.
At a Glance
- Former Doña Ana County magistrate Joel Cano and his wife Nancy were arrested by ICE for allegedly harboring a member of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang
- Cano resigned his judicial position in March and is permanently barred from serving as a judge in New Mexico
- Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who entered the U.S. illegally in December 2023, was found living in a guesthouse on the Canos’ property with firearms
- Federal authorities began investigating after receiving an anonymous tip to the Department of Homeland Security
- Ortega-Lopez faces up to 15 years in prison for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm
Judicial Career Ends Amid Federal Investigation
Former Doña Ana County magistrate judge Joel Cano has found himself at the center of a growing scandal after he and his wife Nancy were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for allegedly harboring an illegal immigrant with ties to a notorious Venezuelan gang. The couple was taken into custody following a federal investigation that began with an anonymous tip to the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year.
The controversy first erupted in February when Homeland Security conducted a raid at a property owned by the Canos, resulting in the arrest of three Venezuelan nationals allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. Following the raid and subsequent investigation, Joel Cano submitted his resignation on March 3, though court administrators reportedly did not receive it until March 31. As part of his resignation agreement, Cano is permanently prohibited from serving as a judge in New Mexico.
Gang Member Hidden in Plain Sight
According to court documents, the Canos allegedly provided shelter to Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, described in federal filings as “an illegal alien from Venezuela and a suspected member of a criminal gang” who was “residing with other illegal aliens” and “in possession of firearms.” Investigators discovered that Ortega-Lopez was living in a guesthouse on the Canos’ property, where he had initially been hired to perform handyman and construction work for the family.
“Let me be as crystal clear as possible, 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 agents on the day of the raid.”, said Joel Cano.
Federal investigators executed two search warrants at properties linked to the Cano family, recovering four firearms that allegedly belonged to Ortega-Lopez and his associates. ICE officials noted that Ortega-Lopez has gang-related tattoos and used social media to document gang activities. Particularly damning for the former judge, social media posts showed Ortega-Lopez with firearms, with Cano visible in some of the images, according to investigators.
National Security Implications
Ortega-Lopez reportedly entered the United States illegally in December 2023 and was initially detained but later released due to prison overcrowding. He now faces up to 15 years in federal prison for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. The case highlights ongoing concerns about border security and the infiltration of international criminal organizations into American communities.
In his defense, Cano has dismissed the allegations as “sensationalism at the highest possible level” and claimed he had no knowledge of any gang affiliations. He told investigators that the men presented immigration paperwork stating “This Person is Not Subject to Removal” and had specific court dates for asylum hearings. Cano has emphasized that he would never have knowingly endangered his family by harboring dangerous individuals.
Justice System Compromised
The New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission launched an investigation into Cano’s alleged misconduct, including claims that he provided firearms to the men—an accusation he strongly denies. The commission’s findings led to his resignation and permanent disqualification from judicial service. Both Joel and Nancy Cano were charged with tampering with evidence following their arrest, with additional federal charges potentially forthcoming.
This case represents a troubling intersection of illegal immigration, international gang activity, and potential corruption within the American judicial system. It raises serious questions about vetting procedures for immigrants entering the country and how a sitting judge could become entangled with individuals tied to one of South America’s most violent criminal organizations.
