Former New Mexico Judge and Wife Arrested for Allegedly Sheltering Gang Member
New footage has emerged showing the dramatic moment when retired New Mexico judge, Jose “Joel” Cano, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody by federal agents for allegedly harboring a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang at their home. The video, captured by KFOX14 News, shows the couple being handcuffed and escorted away from their Las Cruces residence during a federal raid.
In the video, Judge Cano appears calm as he speaks to a heavily armed FBI agent with his hands clasped behind his back. Meanwhile, Nancy Cano is seen being led away in handcuffs by a female Homeland Security Investigation officer. The judge was charged with tampering with evidence, while his wife faces a conspiracy to tamper charge.
The raid on the Cano’s home came after it was revealed that they had been accused of sheltering Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged member of the violent Venezuelan gang. Immigration authorities had apprehended Ortega-Lopez at the couple’s residence on February 28. During a separate raid at the home of the Cano’s daughter, ICE recovered four firearms, some of which were believed to belong to Ortega-Lopez.
Cano, who had been serving as a judge since 2011, resigned quietly last month without mentioning Ortega-Lopez’s arrest in his resignation letter. Court documents revealed that Ortega-Lopez had been living in the couple’s guesthouse after being hired by Nancy to work as a handyman.
Federal authorities allege that Ortega-Lopez has known Tren de Aragua tattoos and has been linked to the gang through clothing and social media posts. Photos on social media show Ortega-Lopez posing with the Cano family during Christmas.
Ortega-Lopez reportedly entered the US unlawfully in 2023 and was released shortly after with a notice to appear before a federal immigration judge. He is currently in custody facing federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.
The case has shocked the community and raised questions about the extent of the Cano’s involvement with the gang member. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge about the circumstances surrounding the couple’s alleged sheltering of Ortega-Lopez.
