BREAKING: FBI Arrests Democrat New Mexico Judge and Wife for Harboring Illegal Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Their Home
The FBI has arrested former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Juan Cano and his wife Nancy Cano for allegedly harboring an illegal alien with suspected ties to Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang known for trafficking, extortion, and violence.
The arrest comes just weeks after Cano resigned from his judicial post following a dramatic federal raid at his Doña Ana County residence, where agents apprehended Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an illegal immigrant now charged with unlawful firearm possession and gang affiliation.
The Gateway Pundit was one of the first outlets to report that longtime Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano — a Democrat and former police officer — abruptly resigned after federal agents arrested an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at a residence he owns.
The bombshell resignation letter, dated March 3, came just days after federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations raided a property tied to Cano and his wife, Nancy, arresting 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun charges, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
The Venezuelan national, who is in the U.S. illegally and has alleged ties to a ruthless transnational gang, was allegedly in possession of multiple firearms — including ones linked to disturbing images and videos on social media.
According to the press release:
HSI initiated an inquiry into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025, following an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez, an illegal alien from Venezuela suspected of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, was allegedly residing with other illegal aliens in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and had been in possession of firearms.
The investigators determined Ortega-Lopez had entered the United States illegally on Dec. 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings. Social media evidence showed Ortega-Lopez in possession of multiple firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces.
Ortega-Lopez is charged by criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Court filings show Ortega-Lopez had been living in a “casita” behind Judge Cano’s residence in Las Cruces after allegedly meeting Nancy Cano while doing handyman work.
Ortega-Lopez, who had unlawfully entered the United States by scaling a barbed-wire fence in Eagle Pass, Texas, was released on so-called “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowding — a tragic consequence of Biden’s wide-open border disaster.
Once in New Mexico, prosecutors allege Ortega-Lopez became acquainted with April Cano, the judge’s stepdaughter, who reportedly owned a cache of firearms and allowed the illegal alien to shoot and pose with the weapons — images that later surfaced on Facebook.
Even more disturbing, Ortega-Lopez is pictured in one photo smiling alongside Judge Cano — a stunning image now submitted in federal court as part of the government’s detention case.
A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media reveals video footage that appears to show Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez socializing casually, including a moment where Ortega-Lopez hands a long rifle to both Judge Cano and his wife, Nancy.
WATCH:
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
Agents recovered four firearms from the neighboring property owned by April Cano.
According to prosecutors, Ortega-Lopez admitted to having fired them. He now faces charges of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition — a federal offense that carries up to 15 years in prison.
On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a rare ruling, permanently banning Cano from ever holding judicial office again.
On Thursday, a viral video began circulating online showing the arrest of Judge Juan Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano.
More from KFOX14:
KFOX14/CBS4 were on the scene Thursday afternoon when the home of former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and a probable cause arrest warrant, and both were taken into custody.
A spokesperson for ICE confirmed that Nancy was taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations.
The raid comes after Cano had resigned in March following accusations that he and his wife, Nancy, had hosted Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, and an alleged TdA member.
Investigators believe Lopez was hired by Nancy to work on the home and then later offered their place for Lopez to stay.
Documents from the investigation indicate Lopez displayed clear indicators of association with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, including clothing, tattoos, voicemails, and text messages.
WATCH:
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