A New Mexico Democrat judge abruptly resigned after federal authorities arrested an illegal Venezuelan migrant, allegedly tied to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, at a residence tied to the judge’s family.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose “Joel” Cano stepped down from the bench in early March, just days after the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a 23-year-old undocumented migrant from Venezuela. Ortega-Lopez is accused of illegally possessing firearms and having ties to Tren de Aragua, a violent international criminal syndicate and U.S.-designated terrorist group.
The Justice Department confirmed that Ortega-Lopez was among four Venezuelan nationals arrested in a federal operation targeting illegal migrants unlawfully in possession of firearms. The coordinated effort involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and federal prosecutors.
Court documents reveal that Ortega-Lopez crossed into the U.S. near Eagle Pass, Texas on December 15, 2023, by scaling a barbed-wire fence. Due to overcrowded detention facilities, immigration officials released him pending removal proceedings — a common practice during the Biden-era border crisis, which critics say overwhelmed immigration enforcement.
Ortega-Lopez reportedly met Nancy Cano, Judge Cano’s wife, and was offered temporary residence in a casita behind the Cano family home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In April 2024, Ortega-Lopez filed for immigration relief, listing the judge’s address as his place of residence.
Federal investigators say he was introduced to April Cano, Nancy’s daughter, who is alleged to own a large cache of firearms and is accused of allowing Ortega-Lopez to handle and shoot the weapons. DOJ officials said social media evidence showed Ortega-Lopez at a local shooting range in possession of multiple firearms.
In a resignation letter dated March 3, Cano thanked his colleagues and court staff, saying, “Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful.” He did not provide a reason for his resignation. Cano, a former police officer, had served on the bench since first being elected in 2010.
The DOJ noted that upon arrest, Ortega-Lopez and the other migrants were found in possession of a cache of weapons including pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles. Federal law prohibits all undocumented migrants from possessing firearms.
ICE agents confirmed Ortega-Lopez’s arrest on March 14 via social media, citing an anonymous tip that led to his capture.
The incident has sent shockwaves through New Mexico’s legal and political communities and reignited national debate over immigration policy, sanctuary practices, and the security risks posed by international gang networks operating inside the United States.
If convicted, Ortega-Lopez and his three co-defendants face up to 15 years in federal prison. All four remain in custody pending trial.
The Tren de Aragua gang — often dubbed “Venezuela’s MS-13” — has been linked to violent crimes across Latin America and the U.S., including trafficking, extortion, and murder. U.S. officials have increasingly sounded the alarm over the group’s growing influence amid record levels of migration from Venezuela.
The DOJ did not indicate whether additional charges or investigations are being pursued regarding any other individuals associated with the Cano household.
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Dear God! The whole family should be arrested and charged with treason! There is NO excuse!