A former New Mexico judge and his wife have been arrested for allegedly harboring an illegal immigrant believed to be associated with Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang and tampering with evidence, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
JOEL CANO, 68, a former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge, and his wife, NANCY CANO, 67, were taken into custody after federal agents raided their Las Cruces home on Thursday. The couple is accused of hiding incriminating images and videos linked to CRISTHIAN ORTEGA-LOPEZ, a suspected TdA gang member, and harboring other migrants.
“Judges are responsible for upholding our country’s laws. It is beyond egregious for a former judge and his wife to engage in evidence tampering on behalf of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member accused of illegally possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney RYAN ELLISON. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to dismantling this foreign terrorist organization by disrupting its criminal operations in New Mexico. That starts by prosecuting those who support gang members—including judges.”
Ortega-Lopez came to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a tipster reported he was in the U.S. illegally and in possession of firearms. He initially entered the country on December 15, 2023, near Eagle Pass, Texas, but was released due to overcrowding at a U.S. Border Patrol facility.
Prosecutors allege that Ortega-Lopez posted images and videos on social media showing him with other undocumented immigrants handling firearms at a Las Cruces shooting range. Among the weapons were a SIG Sauer P365 pistol, an AR-15 rifle equipped with a suppressor, and other high-powered guns and ammunition. His social media activity also reportedly displayed gang-related tattoos, hand gestures, and clothing, along with a mocking reference to a $5,000 reward for capturing TdA members.
In January, federal agents received a tip that Ortega-Lopez was residing on the Canos’ property. During a February 28 search, authorities seized four firearms and three of Ortega-Lopez’s cellphones. Video calls from the Doña Ana County Detention Center later revealed Nancy Cano holding a black iPhone believed to belong to Ortega-Lopez.
During a March 7 call, Nancy Cano allegedly facilitated a WhatsApp conversation between Ortega-Lopez and a contact named Michelle using the missing phone. In subsequent calls, she reportedly discussed deleting Ortega-Lopez’s Facebook account, which contained incriminating content.
On April 24, federal agents returned to the Cano residence to locate the missing iPhone. Joel Cano admitted to destroying the device with a hammer and disposing of it in a dumpster, believing it contained compromising photos and videos of Ortega-Lopez with firearms.
ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI emphasized the gravity of the allegations, stating, “The rule of law is very simple: It doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts, and we will prosecute you.”
The Canos face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
In a related case, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge HANNAH DUGAN, 65, was arrested for allegedly obstructing the arrest of EDUARDO FLORES-RUIZ, a Mexican citizen previously deported and recently charged with domestic abuse-related battery. Dugan reportedly confronted federal agents inside a courthouse and facilitated Flores-Ruiz’s escape through a restricted exit.
“Sanctuary jurisdictions that shield criminal aliens endanger American communities,” said Deputy Attorney General TODD BLANCHE. “This Justice Department will not stand by as local officials put politics over public safety.”
Dugan faces up to six years in prison, while Flores-Ruiz was apprehended after a brief foot chase.
Source: Fox News
Source: U.S. Department of Justice