Justice Compromised: Former New Mexico Judge and Wife Arrested in Federal Investigation Linking Them to Venezuelan Gang Member

In a shocking development that has sent ripples through New Mexico’s judicial system and reignited national debates about border security, former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into federal custody Thursday following a raid on their Las Cruces home. The arrest of a former judicial officer on charges related to harboring an alleged gang member has stunned the legal community and raised serious questions about judicial integrity in a region already grappling with complex immigration challenges.

The Raid and Arrests: A Community Shocked

Federal agents descended on the Canos’ residence in the early morning hours Thursday, executing search warrants and taking both individuals into custody in an operation that neighbors described as “swift and overwhelming.” The couple now faces serious charges of evidence tampering connected to their alleged harboring of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, believed to be an undocumented immigrant with ties to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

“It was surreal to see someone who once passed judgment on others being led away in handcuffs,” said neighbor Maria Sandoval, who witnessed the raid. “Everyone in the neighborhood is in shock. Judge Cano has lived here for years—he was respected in the community.”

The arrests mark a dramatic fall from grace for Joel Cano, who until March served as a magistrate judge in Doña Ana County, presiding over misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies. His position required him to uphold the law and make judgments about others’ legal violations—making the allegations against him particularly troubling to many in the Las Cruces legal community.

“The integrity of our judicial system depends entirely on judges themselves respecting the law,” said Mark Reynolds, a former prosecutor in Doña Ana County who occasionally appeared in Cano’s courtroom. “These charges, if proven true, represent not just a legal violation but a profound breach of public trust.”

The Connection to Tren de Aragua: A Dangerous Affiliation

At the center of the case is Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who authorities allege is connected to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, one of Latin America’s most dangerous criminal organizations that has recently expanded its operations into the United States. The gang, which originated in a Venezuelan prison, has become notorious for extreme violence, human trafficking, extortion, and drug distribution throughout South America and, increasingly, in U.S. cities.

The Department of Homeland Security has identified Tren de Aragua as a priority target in recent months, with Secretary Kristi Noem highlighting the gang in public statements about immigration enforcement priorities.

“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Noem stated following the Canos’ arrest. “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing case, described finding substantial evidence connecting Ortega-Lopez to the gang during their February arrest at the Canos’ property. This evidence reportedly included clothing with gang symbols, distinctive tattoos recognized by gang experts as Tren de Aragua affiliations, and digital communications referencing gang activities.

“This isn’t just about immigration status,” explained one federal agent involved in the broader investigation of Tren de Aragua’s U.S. operations. “We’re talking about an organized criminal enterprise responsible for extreme violence, drug trafficking, and exploitation. Their expansion into the U.S. represents a significant public safety threat.”

The Timeline: From Home Repairs to Federal Charges

According to court documents and investigative reports, the relationship between the Canos and Ortega-Lopez began innocuously enough in late December 2023. Nancy Cano initially hired Ortega-Lopez to perform various repairs and maintenance tasks around their property—a common arrangement in Las Cruces, where day laborers frequently find work through informal hiring.

What began as employment apparently evolved into something more complicated. Court records indicate that the Canos later allowed Ortega-Lopez to stay in their guesthouse, a separate dwelling on their property. This arrangement continued for several weeks, during which time investigators believe the Canos became aware of Ortega-Lopez’s immigration status and possible gang affiliations.

A critical juncture in the case came on February 15, 2024, when local law enforcement responded to an unrelated call near the Cano residence and encountered Ortega-Lopez, whose behavior reportedly raised suspicions. A subsequent investigation led to his detention and the discovery of his immigration status and alleged gang connections.

According to the timeline established in federal charging documents, Ortega-Lopez had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally near Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 15, 2023. He was briefly detained by Border Patrol agents but was released three days later due to overcrowding at detention facilities—a controversial practice that critics have labeled “catch and release.”

Upon release, Ortega-Lopez was issued a Notice to Appear, the formal document initiating removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act. He was then transported to a non-governmental organization that assists migrants before making his way to Las Cruces, where he eventually connected with the Canos.

The Firearms Connection: Escalating the Case

What transformed the case from a simple immigration violation to a more serious federal investigation was the discovery of firearms connected to Ortega-Lopez, who as an undocumented immigrant is prohibited from possessing weapons under federal law.

During the investigation, authorities executed search warrants at multiple locations, including the home of April Cano, Joel and Nancy’s adult daughter. There, they reportedly seized four firearms that evidence suggests Ortega-Lopez had access to and had been photographed holding.

“Social media has become a critical investigative tool in these cases,” explained former FBI agent Raymond Torres, who specialized in gang investigations before retiring. “Gang members often post images with weapons, cash, or other evidence of criminal activity. It’s essentially self-documentation of their violations.”

Indeed, investigators cited several social media posts showing Ortega-Lopez posing with various weapons, some of which he allegedly claimed belonged to April Cano. These posts, along with text messages and other digital evidence, form the basis for the federal charge against him for being an undocumented immigrant in possession of a firearm—a violation that carries a potential 15-year prison sentence.

The Canos’ charges of evidence tampering appear to stem from allegations that they attempted to hide or destroy evidence of their connection to Ortega-Lopez after becoming aware of the federal investigation. While specific details of these allegations remain sealed in court documents, sources familiar with the case suggest it involves digital communications and possibly physical evidence related to Ortega-Lopez’s stay at their property.

A Region Under Scrutiny: Border Politics and Local Impact

Doña Ana County, which sits directly on the U.S.-Mexico border and includes Las Cruces as its county seat, has long been at the center of national debates about immigration enforcement. The region has experienced firsthand both the humanitarian aspects of migration and the law enforcement challenges that come with its border location.

“Doña Ana County has been a hotbed of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, human smuggling for many, many years,” former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore told WPMI in an interview about the case. “To see that a judge would allow this to happen. It’s very concerning. It’s concerning. What else has the judge been doing?”

This sentiment was echoed by local officials across the political spectrum, many of whom expressed concern about the potential abuse of judicial authority suggested by the charges against Cano.

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima addressed the situation at a press conference Friday, carefully balancing acknowledgment of the serious charges with reminders about due process.

“These allegations are deeply troubling, particularly given Mr. Cano’s former position of trust in our community,” Miyagishima stated. “However, I want to remind everyone that these remain allegations until proven in court. Las Cruces has always been a community that respects the rule of law, and that includes the presumption of innocence.”

Local residents have expressed mixed reactions to the case, reflecting the community’s diverse perspectives on immigration issues.

“This isn’t about immigration—it’s about gangs and public safety,” said Robert Hernandez, a Las Cruces business owner. “Nobody wants violent gang members in our community, regardless of where they’re from.”

Others see the case as potentially politically motivated amid heightened national rhetoric around immigration.

“I worry that cases like this fuel anti-immigrant sentiment when most people coming here are just looking for work and safety,” said Elena Dominguez, who works with a local immigrant support organization. “We need to separate gang activity from the broader immigration conversation.”

Judicial Consequences: Swift and Severe

Even before Thursday’s arrest, Joel Cano had already faced significant professional consequences. He resigned from his judicial position in March, shortly after Ortega-Lopez was discovered at his property. While his resignation letter did not explicitly reference the investigation, its timing suggested a connection to the emerging case.

On Tuesday, just two days before the Canos’ arrest, the New Mexico Supreme Court took the extraordinary step of permanently barring Joel Cano from holding any judicial office in the state. This severe sanction, which effectively ends his legal career in New Mexico, reflects the seriousness with which the state’s highest court viewed the allegations.

The Supreme Court order, though brief, cited “conduct unbecoming a judicial officer” and “actions that bring the judiciary into disrepute” as justification for the permanent ban. Legal experts note that such permanent prohibitions are rare and typically reserved for the most severe breaches of judicial ethics.

“The judiciary runs on public trust,” explained Elena Martinez, professor of judicial ethics at the University of New Mexico Law School. “When a judge potentially violates the very laws they’re sworn to uphold, it undermines the entire system’s legitimacy. The Supreme Court’s quick and decisive action shows how seriously they take this breach of trust.”

Political Reverberations: Local and National Reactions

The case has quickly become a flashpoint in ongoing political debates about immigration enforcement, border security, and accountability for public officials. Both local and national figures have weighed in, often framing the case within their broader political narratives.

“The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules,” Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said in a statement to the Las Cruces Sun-News. “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 case has also been cited by DHS Secretary Noem as evidence of the administration’s commitment to targeting gang activity among immigrant populations. In recent statements, Noem has highlighted the department’s focus on Tren de Aragua and other transnational criminal organizations.

In a seemingly related development last month, Noem announced that DHS had identified “two leakers of information” who had allegedly compromised ICE operations by providing advance warning of raids.

“We have identified two leakers of information here at the Department of Homeland Security who have been telling individuals about our operations and putting law enforcement lives in jeopardy,” she stated in a post on X. “We plan to prosecute these two individuals and hold them accountable for what they’ve done.”

While Noem did not name these individuals or directly connect them to the Cano case, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to Fox News that the two people will face charges. Some speculate there could be connections between these leaks and the broader investigation into Tren de Aragua’s activities in the southwest.

The Defense Begins to Take Shape

Attorneys for Joel and Nancy Cano held a brief press conference following their clients’ initial court appearance Thursday afternoon. While declining to address specific allegations, defense attorney Miguel Sandoval emphasized that the couple maintains their innocence and looks forward to presenting their case in court.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cano are respected members of this community with deep roots in Las Cruces,” Sandoval stated. “They categorically deny any knowing association with gang members or any attempt to obstruct justice. We ask that the public reserve judgment until all facts are presented in the appropriate forum—a court of law, not the court of public opinion.”

Sources close to the defense suggest their strategy may focus on challenging the government’s assertion that the Canos knew of Ortega-Lopez’s gang affiliations or immigration status when allowing him to stay in their guesthouse. They may also question the evidence supporting the tampering charges, potentially arguing that any actions taken were not intended to obstruct justice.

Legal experts note that evidence tampering cases can be challenging to prove, as they require demonstrating both specific actions and criminal intent.

“The prosecution will need to show not just that evidence was altered or concealed, but that it was done with the specific purpose of hindering an investigation,” explained former federal prosecutor James Martinez. “That typically requires strong circumstantial evidence or communications showing awareness of the investigation and deliberate attempts to thwart it.”

The Community Impact: Trust Eroded

Beyond the legal and political dimensions, the case has had a profound impact on the Las Cruces community’s relationship with its judicial system. Local attorneys report that the allegations have become a frequent topic of discussion in courthouse hallways and have raised questions about judicial oversight and accountability.

“When someone in a black robe falls from grace this dramatically, it affects everyone who works in the system,” said public defender Sophia Ramirez. “My clients are already asking me if their cases that went through Judge Cano’s court might be affected or if they should request reviews. It creates a ripple effect of uncertainty.”

Court administrators have been quick to assure the public that mechanisms exist to review cases if misconduct is suspected, though they note that no evidence has emerged suggesting Cano’s alleged actions affected his judicial decisions in unrelated cases.

For the broader Las Cruces community, the case has become yet another flashpoint in ongoing tensions around immigration, law enforcement, and equality under the law.

“Las Cruces is a border community with a complex relationship to immigration issues,” explained Dr. Maria Gonzalez, a sociologist at New Mexico State University who studies border communities. “Cases like this get filtered through pre-existing perspectives. Some see it as vindication of concerns about border security, while others worry about potential overreach or political motivations in enforcement.”

Local community organizations that work with immigrant populations report increased anxiety among their clients, with some expressing fear that the high-profile case could lead to increased scrutiny or enforcement actions against immigrants with no connection to criminal activity.

The Broader Context: Tren de Aragua’s U.S. Expansion

The Cano case is unfolding against the backdrop of increasing concern among law enforcement about Tren de Aragua’s growing presence in the United States. The gang, which originated in Tocorón prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state, has expanded throughout South America over the past decade and has reportedly established footholds in several U.S. cities within the past two years.

Law enforcement officials describe the gang as particularly violent and willing to use extreme methods to establish territory and control. Their criminal activities typically include drug trafficking, human smuggling, prostitution, extortion, and kidnapping.

“What makes Tren de Aragua particularly concerning is their willingness to use theatrical violence to establish dominance,” explained an ICE official involved in tracking transnational gangs. “They’re relatively new to the U.S. criminal landscape but are expanding rapidly, particularly in cities with established Venezuelan immigrant communities.”

The group’s expansion has coincided with the significant increase in Venezuelan migration to the United States over the past three years, a situation that experts stress should not be conflated.

“The vast majority of Venezuelan migrants are fleeing precisely the kind of violence and exploitation that groups like Tren de Aragua represent,” noted immigration attorney Carlos Ramirez. “They’re victims of these organizations, not perpetrators, and many have legitimate asylum claims based on threats from these very gangs.”

Nevertheless, DHS officials have highlighted the infiltration of gang members among migrant populations as a particular enforcement concern. Secretary Noem’s statement about arresting 600 Tren de Aragua members reflects the administration’s focus on identifying and removing those with gang affiliations from among the broader migrant population.

What Comes Next: Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences

Following their initial court appearance, Joel and Nancy Cano were released on bond with conditions including surrender of passports, electronic monitoring, and travel restrictions. Their next court date is scheduled for early next month, when preliminary hearings will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.

If convicted on the evidence tampering charges, they could face up to 20 years in federal prison, though sentencing guidelines and their lack of prior criminal records would likely result in significantly lower sentences.

Ortega-Lopez remains in federal custody on the firearms charge and immigration violations. His case is proceeding separately, with any cooperation in the case against the Canos potentially factoring into his own legal proceedings.

Court observers note that cases involving judicial officials often move slowly through the system due to the complexity of finding impartial jurors and judges without conflicts of interest. The case will likely be heard by a federal judge brought in from outside the district to avoid any appearance of bias from judges who may have worked alongside Cano.

Meanwhile, the investigation appears to be ongoing, with sources suggesting that authorities are examining whether the Canos’ alleged assistance to Ortega-Lopez was an isolated incident or part of a pattern. Records from Cano’s time on the bench are reportedly being reviewed for any indication of favoritism or improper handling of cases involving immigration issues.

Conclusion: Questions of Trust and Accountability

As the case moves forward, it raises profound questions about trust in the judicial system and accountability for those in positions of power. The allegations against a former judge strike at the heart of the legal system’s legitimacy, which depends on the perception that those who interpret and apply the law are themselves committed to upholding it.

“The judiciary has always operated on a foundation of public trust,” said New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez in a statement responding to the arrests. “When that trust is potentially broken by someone sworn to uphold the law, we must respond with transparency and accountability. My office will work closely with federal authorities to ensure that justice is served and that the integrity of our judicial system is maintained.”

For the Las Cruces community, the case represents yet another complex chapter in the border region’s ongoing navigation of immigration issues, public safety concerns, and equal application of the law. As Joel and Nancy Cano prepare their defense and prosecutors build their case, the impact of their alleged actions continues to reverberate through the courthouse where he once presided and the community he once served.

The case serves as a stark reminder that in a system founded on the rule of law, no one—not even those who wear the judicial robe—stands above accountability when that law is broken. For a community already grappling with the complexities of life in a border region, that reminder comes with both reassurance and disillusionment about the human fallibility that exists even within the institutions designed to deliver justice.

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

We have identified criminal leakers within @DHSGov and are preparing to refer these perpetrators to the @DOJ for felony prosecutions.

These individuals face up to 10 years in federal prison.

We will find and root out all leakers. They will face prison time & we will get justice… pic.twitter.com/KEtpJDtUNs

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 7, 2025