In a dramatic turn of events, former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Juan Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, have been apprehended by the FBI for allegedly providing shelter to an undocumented immigrant with suspected links to Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang infamous for its violent activities, including trafficking and extortion.
This development follows Cano’s resignation just weeks prior, after a federal raid on his property in Doña Ana County. During this raid, agents arrested Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an illegal immigrant now facing charges related to firearm possession and gang affiliation.
was among the first to cover the abrupt resignation of Cano, a Democrat and former police officer, who stepped down amid the fallout from the raid that led to the arrest of a suspected gang member at a property he owns.
The resignation letter, dated March 3, surfaced shortly after federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations conducted a raid linked to Cano and his wife, resulting in the arrest of 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun charges, as reported by the Albuquerque Journal.
Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national illegally residing in the U.S., was reportedly found with several firearms, some linked to alarming social media content.
As described in a press release:
HSI began investigating Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025 after receiving an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez, suspected of having ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, was allegedly living with other undocumented immigrants in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and possessing firearms.
Investigators established that Ortega-Lopez entered the United States illegally on December 15, 2023, and was released pending deportation proceedings. Social media activity indicated his possession of multiple firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces.
He is facing charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Legal documents reveal that Ortega-Lopez had been residing in a “casita” behind Judge Cano’s home in Las Cruces, having met Nancy Cano while performing handyman tasks.
After illegally crossing into the U.S. by climbing a barbed-wire fence in Eagle Pass, Texas, Ortega-Lopez was granted “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowded detention facilities — a rather unfortunate byproduct of the broader immigration crisis.
Upon reaching New Mexico, Ortega-Lopez allegedly became acquainted with April Cano, the judge’s stepdaughter. Reports suggest she owned a collection of firearms and permitted Ortega-Lopez to shoot and take photos with the weapons, which subsequently appeared on social media.
Even more troubling, one photograph shows Ortega-Lopez smiling alongside Judge Cano, a snapshot now part of the evidence in federal court regarding the government’s case for detention.
A review of Ortega-Lopez’s social media accounts reveals videos showing him casually socializing with Judge Cano, including a moment where he hands a long rifle to both the judge and his wife, Nancy.
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Analysis of Ortega-Lopez’s social media indicates he engaged in shooting activities at a local range and showcased various firearms. The content also features photos of Judge Cano and Ortega-Lopez together, including moments where he passes a long rifle to both Judge Cano and Nancy.
*Video… pic.twitter.com/2rAzGjPI4k
— Wid Lyman (@Wid_Lyman) April 18, 2025
Agents subsequently recovered four firearms from a neighboring property owned by April Cano.
Prosecutors claim Ortega-Lopez admitted to firing these weapons, which puts him at risk of facing up to 15 years in prison for the federal offense of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition.
On Tuesday, the New Mexico Supreme Court made a rare decision, issuing a permanent ban on Cano from ever holding judicial office again.
Further complicating the narrative, a video showing the arrest of both Judge Juan Cano and his wife, Nancy, has gone viral, highlighting the ongoing investigation.
More details from KFOX14:
KFOX14/CBS4 reported live from the scene on Thursday as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and probable cause arrest warrant at the home of former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy. Both were taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations. The raid followed Cano’s resignation in March amid allegations that he and his wife had harbored Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela with suspected ties to the Tren de Aragua gang.
Documents indicate that Lopez was initially hired by Nancy for home repairs and was subsequently permitted to stay at their residence.
Investigators believe Lopez displayed multiple indicators of gang affiliation, including clothing, tattoos, and communications.
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