Alarming Revelations Surrounding New Mexico Judge’s Arrest for Harboring Gang Ties
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has unveiled shocking new details regarding the recent arrest of a New Mexico magistrate judge, who stands accused of harboring an illegal alien with links to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
As previously reported by , former New Mexico Magistrate Judge Juan Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody for allegedly sheltering an illegal immigrant with suspected ties to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang infamous for its involvement in trafficking, extortion, and violent crimes.
This arrest followed Cano’s abrupt resignation from his judicial position, just weeks prior, after a dramatic federal raid at his Doña Ana County home, during which agents apprehended Cristhian Ortega Lopez, an illegal immigrant now facing charges related to firearm possession and gang affiliation.
Reportedly, Cano, a Democrat and former police officer, resigned following the federal agents’ discovery of a gang member at a property he owns, an incident that has undoubtedly raised eyebrows about judicial integrity in the region.
In a televised appearance on Fox News, Bondi discussed the implications of Cano’s actions. When co-host Sandra Smith inquired about the charges facing the judge and his wife, Bondi disclosed that the recently unsealed charges included obstruction of justice.
Then, in a twist that could easily be mistaken for a plot from a thriller novel, Bondi revealed a particularly alarming detail: “He took one of the TDA members’ cellphones, smashed it with a hammer, and then disposed of the remnants in a city dumpster to shield himself from potential repercussions,” she stated.
“Incredible!” Smith reacted.
Bondi continued, “To make matters worse, this TDA member possessed gruesome images of TWO decapitated victims, which he was sharing.”
WATCH:
.@AGPamBondi gives updates on the New Mexico judge who harbored a Tren-de-Aragua gang member in his home:
“He took one of the TDA members’ cellphones — beat it with a hammer — and then walked the pieces to a city dumpster to dispose it to protect him… Not only that, this TDA… pic.twitter.com/PfPUDpFjxm
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 25, 2025
In yet another shocking turn, Bondi disclosed that Cano and his spouse provided this gang member with assault rifles that belonged to their daughter. This armed individual reportedly used them for target practice at a shooting range alongside other known members of Tren de Aragua.
“The judge and his wife gave him assault rifles that belonged to their daughter,” she explained. “He was using these weapons, complete with a suppressor, at the shooting range with fellow TDA members.”
“This is the LAST type of individual we want in our country,” she concluded vehemently. “We will never tolerate a judge—or anyone else, for that matter—who harbors such individuals.”
