In a dramatic twist that echoes the often murky waters of political allegiances, Joel Cano, a long-serving Democratic magistrate judge from Doña Ana County and a former police officer, hastily tendered his resignation following the arrest of an alleged associate of the notorious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang at a property he owns.
This unexpected resignation, encapsulated in a letter dated March 3, came on the heels of a raid conducted by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations. The operation targeted a residence linked to Cano and his wife, Nancy, resulting in the apprehension of 23-year-old Cristhian Ortega-Lopez on federal gun charges, as reported by the Albuquerque Journal.
Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national residing in the U.S. illegally, reportedly had connections to a violent transnational gang and was allegedly found with an arsenal of firearms, including those associated with alarming social media imagery.
According to a press release:
HSI began its investigation into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez in January 2025, prompted by an anonymous tip-off. The illegal immigrant from Venezuela was suspected of links to Tren de Aragua and was allegedly living with other undocumented individuals in Las Cruces, New Mexico, possessing firearms.
Investigation revealed that Ortega-Lopez had crossed into the United States illegally on December 15, 2023, and was subsequently released pending removal proceedings. Social media evidence depicted him with multiple firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces.
Ortega-Lopez now faces a criminal complaint for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Further court documents indicate that Ortega-Lopez had taken up residence in a “casita” behind Judge Cano’s home after reportedly meeting Nancy Cano while performing handyman tasks.
This individual, who scaled a barbed-wire fence to enter the U.S. in Eagle Pass, Texas, was released on “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowding—an unfortunate byproduct of the current administration’s lenient border policies.
Upon establishing himself in New Mexico, it’s alleged that Ortega-Lopez became acquainted with April Cano, the judge’s stepdaughter, who had a collection of firearms and permitted the undocumented immigrant to handle and pose with them—photos that later surfaced on Facebook.
Even more concerning, one photo depicts Ortega-Lopez grinning alongside Judge Cano—a shocking image that has been included in federal court documentation for the detention case against him.
Analysis of Ortega-Lopez’s social media accounts reveals video clips showcasing him firing weapons at a local range and casually interacting with Judge Cano, including a moment where Ortega-Lopez hands a long rifle to both the judge 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
Federal agents subsequently recovered four firearms from a property owned by April Cano. Prosecutors allege Ortega-Lopez confessed to firing them. He now faces serious charges for being an illegal alien in possession of firearms and ammunition—a federal offense that could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
