What in the world was going on here? On its face, the facts seem pretty simple: an alleged Venezuelan gang member was nabbed by Homeland Security at a New Mexico judge’s house, and the judge promptly resigned. The accused Tren de Aragua was apparently living in a “casita” behind the judge’s home.
How did this rather unorthodox living situation come about, and what were these folks up to? Whatever it was, they had plenty of weaponry, as you’ll see.
Here’s what an Albuquerque outlet reported:
LAS CRUCES — Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano has resigned from the bench where he has sat since 2011.
Although his resignation letter, dated March 3, did not state his reason for stepping down, it followed shortly after a man awaiting deportation proceedings, accused by federal law enforcement of being affiliated with a Venezuelan gang, was arrested at Cano’s home.
Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, 23, faces federal firearm charges after Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant on Feb. 28 at a Las Cruces residence owned by Cano and his wife, Nancy.
Although the judge didn’t explicitly say Cristhian Ortega-Lopez’s arrest was his reason for resigning, the timing cannot be ignored:
“Working with each of you has been a very rewarding experience for which I will remain eternally grateful,” Cano wrote in a letter addressed to 3rd Judicial District Chief Judge Conrad Perea and court staff. The letter declared his last day as March 21, which dockets show was also the last day he had hearings scheduled in court.
Venezuelan Illegal With Alleged Tren de Aragua Ties Arrested for Possession of Firearm While Reportedly Living at Home of New Mexico Judge
Judge Jose “Joel” Cano abruptly resigned days after ICE HSI raid at his house in Las Cruces
Full story coming… pic.twitter.com/UvkrAC2PDT
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 18, 2025
The judge—a former police officer and Democrat—and his wife and daughter appeared to enjoy firearms and shooting with the alleged gangbanger:
The details of Ortega-Lopez’s arrest and prior relationship with the Cano family are addressed in federal court motions seeking Ortega-Lopez’s detention. In New Mexico federal district court, prosecutors argue that Ortega-Lopez is a flight risk and a danger to the community due to an alleged criminal history, including alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang in Venezuela.
Court filings state that agents recovered four firearms from a neighboring home owned by April Cano, who is identified in court filings as Nancy Cano’s daughter. A criminal complaint alleges Ortega-Lopez admitted to possessing and firing them, as seen in photos and videos posted on Facebook last December.
A video that is going around on social media appears to show the judge, his wife Nancy, and Cristhian bonding over a very large gun indeed:
A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media shows him shooting at a local range and holding multiple firearms. The page also shows photos of what appears to be Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing, including Ortega-Lopez passing a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy.
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
Related: Busted: Wanted Murderer and Tren de Aragua Gang Member Arrested in Georgia
Mexican Nationals Busted in Colorado Carrying 180,000 Rounds of Rifle Ammo
Cano’s daughter also allegedly allowed the suspect to fire her weapons:
Prosecutors say was subsequently introduced to April Cano, “who possessed a large number of firearms” and “allowed him to hold and sometimes shoot various firearms,” allegedly including rifles and a handgun tied to the social media posts.
Exhibits presented in federal court include a social media image showing Ortega-Lopez posing with the judge…
Ortega-Lopez remains in custody without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center awaiting a detention hearing.
There’s nothing wrong with the judge possessing firearms—the Second Amendment ensures that he is within his rights. But shooting them with an alleged illegal alien gangbanger? That may turn out to be more problematic for the Canos.
This is a weird story; there’s no other way to say it. What sort of relationship was this? Was Ortega-Lopez dating the daughter? Did Joel and Nancy just think this was a stand-up guy, and they should give him a place to stay and go shooting with him?
For now, the judge is apparently unemployed, and Ortega-Lopez is in custody. I hope more information comes out soon, because we need to know what was going on here.
