A Democratic New Mexico judge, Jose “Joel” Cano, has been permanently banned from the bench by his colleagues after an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, was found living in his home. Cano resigned in March following Ortega-Lopez’s arrest at his residence by agents from the US Department of Homeland Security.
The disciplinary action prohibits Cano from holding any judicial office, running for a judicial position, or exercising judicial authority in the state. Additionally, Cano is barred from officiating weddings in New Mexico.
The Supreme Court of New Mexico’s decision to ban Cano preempted the disciplinary hearings that were scheduled for Thursday. Investigators discovered social media photos showing Ortega-Lopez dining with Cano’s family and posing for Christmas pictures in 2024. Ortega-Lopez’s neck tattoos, which were concealed by a collared shirt in the photos, reportedly indicate his gang affiliation.
